35 Convertible any reason not to buy?
35 Convertible any reason not to buy?
I have been looking at the Bertram's and after doing enough online research to blind 10 men I have come to the conclusion that the 35 Convertible is the boat for me. Most of the 35's for sale already have diesels, the size fits my needs, and the day berth looks like it can be converted to twin bunks for my two kids. But I have found very little information on them and no sites dedicated to them like the 33's and 28's....and the parts places don't seem to even mention them in their parts lists. Is there a reason for this? Anybody have any thoughts or knowledge on the 35 covertibles? Thanks!
I know Charlie will have a lot to say on this, he has a 35 and talks a lot on this site. From what I understand, the 33 and 35 are very close cousins in size, weight and just about everything else. One big difference is that the 35's have a small keel to reduce the roll, but in return you will lose rudder control at low speeds, everything is a trade-off. I even saw a 35B hauled in St. Pete a while back that had stabilizer fins on the hull, but I think that boat was unique. All the 35's I've seen also have one of those hullside windows (in the forward berth?) on each side that I personally don't care for- they often leak- but maybe on the Bertrams they won't. It also seems that the 35's do better with the CAT 3208's, which is amazing considering they are heavier boats. I guess the point is that everything that is nice about the 33 that you have read is also true of the 35. The 35 seems to have some additional features, good or bad. Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com
"Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF 3208T Cats
I don't think Charlie would mind me giving you his e-mail address, but I'd rather not post it on the board without his permission. E-mail me directly and I'll send it to you. Use the address below. The send e-mail thing on the board doesn't work. Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com
"Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF 3208T Cats
Hello Cooper, I have a 35B. I had a 28B. I have run lots of 31B's. Everything Sean said was correct with the exception of close quarter maneuvering. A 35B can turn on a dime and give 9 cents change. It is better than any 28B or 31B. The keel has no effect. The 35B is the most precise boat for close quarter maneuvering I have ever run. My email is charlie@webspan.net. Shoot me an email and phone number so we can talk. In addition to 35B info I also put together the Bertram Mid-Atlantic Rendezvous. Go to www.bertramrendezvous.com We will have the dates for 2006 and will start taking reservations soon. This will be the third year and we look to just take over the Marina!!! for our weekend Charlie
Charlie 35 Bertram 3208 Cats
Both boats were designed by David Napier, but the 33 is a more modern design. The 35 was introduced in 69 or 70, and the 33 came out in 1977. One thing I don't like about 35s, at least the older ones is that they have the helm stuck way over to the side of the flybridge. I personally prefer a centerline helm like the 33 has. I think they re-designed the flybridge and moved the helm toward the centerline on the 35 sometime in the 80s. Also, up until the 80s the 35s had wood cockpit decks covered with vinyl made to look like fake teak boards. When that vinyl gets wet it is slick as glass. Also the hatches in the wood decks are not water tight and water pours in on the genset, and everything else in the bilge. Quite a few of these boats have either had the wood decks glassed over or had fiberglass replacement decks installed.
