From lurker to owner

[gingerbomb]

Good afternoon, I've been browsing the forum a bit; what a great resource. About me. 55 yrs old, semi-retired and selling Real Estate in CT (or if you'd prefer I'll sell you a bridge in Brooklyn). I was raised in CT and grew up sailing (racing sailboats) on Long Island Sound before fleeing to Newport in 1983. I was employed as a captain on large racing sailboats before going to work for Ted Hood at Little Harbor Custom Yachts in 1987. As an aside I worked for a gentleman who owned a Hunt boat called Pug which Ted Hood used to make the mold for the Blackwatch series. I was involved in building the first LHCY powerboat and was hired by that owner to build his sailboat. Anyway life changes moved us off the water for the first time in our lives a few years ago and as much as we love motorcycling the hills of New England we miss the water. We have neighbors who have a Hatteras 53 which they keep at a fancy marina in Old Saybrook and it's been a lot of fun to participate, even if the boat is a bit tired and a challenge for my neighbor to run. So... my plan right now is to find the right Bertram, park it in Old Saybrook and cruise eastern Long Island Sound, Block Island and Newport for the festivals. I would go with a Bertram or a Blackfin with a nod to the Bertram because we don't fish. We want to cruise and entertain. Did you know that Bertram decided to build powerboats after seeing a hunt design go screaming by the America's Cup yacht he was on that day and Bertrams have served as tenders to AC yachts more than once? This means an old sailor can show up in one and not get grief. They night even let me participate as a mark boat. We saw a 37 down in Cape May and I loved everything about it except 40GPH. We have yet to set foot on a 33; we have plans last Saturday but it fell through. We hope to see one this Saturday but we don't expect to make an offer as it's way over done and way over priced. In the meantime comments, thoughts and suggestions are always welcome. Anyone with direct experience between the 33 and 37 would be most welcome. Frankly if the 33 had a transom door it would be a slam dunk as we want that and a platform for the times we bring the dogs. When it comes to 33's we're after a MKIII with diesels but if you have good reason to debate feel free. Have a fantastic day. Cheers,

[Capn Tony]

Welcome aboard Rob, I too have been around boat all my life maybe not with the technical expertise you have. Grew up in N.J. With boats out of Shark River everthing from a Cape Dory (trailer was worth more than the boat and engine) to running a 50 foot Hatteras. I just bought as a project boat a 2006 Pursuit 3370 for which I’m taking a deposit today. Point is i’ve Been thru the gambit of pleasure boats up to 50 ft won’t bore you the list. For the last 7 years “Roamin’ Beautyâ€� has delivered everything asked of her including economy. Fishes well and cruises even better. Out of Hyannis we cruise Block, Cutty, Vineyard,Nantucket P’Town and more. Before her for almost 20 years I owed a Bertram 31 (another great boat). Would I like to go slightly bigger sue, i’d Stop at a Bertram 38. If you are open to going up to a 38 and can find an efficient one I’d compare it to a 33.

[gingerbomb]

Hello Tony, Thanks for the welcome. I have been looking at 38's but part of the attraction of the 37 is the centerline queen. I've never been happy in a V-Berth with fillers.