B35 Express??

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:30 am

I started a new thread, didn't want to hyjack the other one. After seeing the new Billfish37 from that other mfg, and considering the old Merrits and Rybovich (which I got a chance to get on an unrestored Rybo37 setup like a day boat at it was nice...) I thought I could do that with my B35. Some of the earlier boats like mine have dual stations already. So all you would need to do is to re-config the wall between the salon and cockpit and put in some decent seating for the lower helm. I would take the back wall and cut it out and then install tackle prep/storage and freezer boxes with flip down seats to watch the baits on. In the interior you could rais the floor over the motors only, leaving the walkway the normal height, then build out seating and storage over each motor (gives extra room for bigger CAT or Cummins motors). Just some random thoughts.

CB35 · Post by **CB35** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:28 am

OOps I hijacked the other thread. So I will cut and paste here. Doug I already own a 35B a 20'shamrock, 18' herrshoff harbor pilot, 17'yankee dory, seadoo xp,and a couple of kayaks. Sure I would take a chain saw to an old 35B I am not the purest you may think I am. If you want to keep your "Bertram" valve then don't take a chain saw to one. If you don't care and want an offshore machine then chop away. L&H used to chop up old Chris Craft (Hunt) 30's to make their 32L&H. They would have used 31Bertram; but the "cult" status the hull price too high. There are many commerical offshore boats riding on crappy hulls. Everytime I talk to a green stick boat about she handles in a following sea they say really $hitty. Think about it a boat they runs any sea condition without all the salon crap. I am thinking of gutting the boat from the windshield back. Then turning the downstairs port side into a little kitchen. We take the sofa out when we go offshore anyway. There is a 35B named Pepper. That boat fishes offshore more then most head boats. They gutted the boats salon and no rear bulkhead; but kept the flybridge. Trolling could be handled by a small tower on the hardtop. Why? I am getting tired to getting bounced around on the bridge while my buddies are getting a nice sleepy ride flaked out in the salon. Just thinking out loud. Charlie 35 Bertram 3208 Cats

alano · Post by **alano** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:26 am

Noted that there was true 35 express listed within the last year - probably fire damaged. The Sundowner in HI (Norm Issacs's old rig) had the the bulkhead removed, looked like a real plan to me. There was a 36' Express at the Annapolis boat show back in the 90s maybe that I fell in love with. When I had the bulkhead out to replace engines, seriously considered leaving it out and making curtains however my salon sole is plywood and didn't feel like NidaCore project/rebuild furniture effort of that magnitude on top engine replacement. There is a guy down here who has done what Charlie has said with reconfiguring to a galley down, a buddy whose been on it said it's really slick. When I can hook up with him I'll get pictures and he also said he'd copy me the drawings from the engineer. I figure there's not much chance of selling for what I have in it so might as well make what I want, huh? Glad to others are as seriously confused as me. BR, Alan.

kevin gillespie · Post by **kevin gillespie** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 11:12 am

i think if you guys do a search on 35 bertram i remember seeing a 35 converted into an express.i think it was for sale.it definately looked different.

Post by **dougl33** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 11:50 am

I remember that boat. I didn't think it was very easy on the eyes.

mistersea · Post by **mistersea** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:45 pm

Before buying my B38, I looked at a nicely designed Hatteras in BVI. It was built with the kind mindset you are talking about. If the boat had been in reasonable condition I would have bought it. It was custom made as a by the then owner of Hatteras. I spoke to his then Capt. and he said the boat was very successful for there use and he liked it a lot. I surveyed it and was really pleased with the function of it all. Its downfall though was too many years in the islands. That boat was all used up in every aspect of the word, trashed. I do not think there was a single usable component or system on the boat. It would have been like buying a hull and starting from scratch, but with the extra work of stripping it. It does provide a nice example of the type of function you all are talking about. It also shows it can be a very successful boat. I am going to try to attach some pictures to this reply. If they do not attach properly I can send them to anyone that might want to see it. http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads/Open Salon Pic 2 BVI Hatteras for B33 Site.jpg http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads/Open Salon Pic 1 BVI Hatteras for B33 Site.jpg Robert

mistersea · Post by **mistersea** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:56 pm

I'll try again with Photobucket. [IMG]http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee12 ... 33Site.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee12 ... 33Site.jpg[/IMG] Robert

Post by **dougl33** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:52 pm

Looks like a day boat to me. Why not just buy a 31.

mistersea · Post by **mistersea** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 4:41 am

Good point Doug, As I ended up buying a B38 indicates I agree with you. The boat was used on a private island as a day trip fishing boat for the guest. This boat was built on a Hatteras 39' Express with the Hatteras 39' Flybridge on it as both boats use the same hull. That resulted in a rather large cabin which would work fine for a weekender or a couple spending a week. The open rear bulkhead made the cockpit feel huge. For some reason, the cockpit on the Hatteras 39' Convertible always felt small. This boat certainly addressed that. Also being a factory one off it was kind of neat. There is a B37 on Yachtworld with a similar set up but only with a smaller cabin. The listing say's it was also a factory job. Robert

colbach · Post by **colbach** » Thu Oct 14, 2010 5:24 pm

Found another one. http://www.boatersresources.com/bfs_det ... did=102163

CB35 · Post by **CB35** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 12:41 pm

I thought that boat was sold.