I finally bit the bullet...

Jose Jaen · Post by **Jose Jaen** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 6:29 am

Frank; If there is a BoatUS close by you could rent late model EPIRBS when you anticipate going offshore. Jose Jaen "Blue Chip" 1993 33FBC Miami FL

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 7:10 am

Congradulations on your boat. I too own a 33 FBC with 315 Cummins and I love the boat, I'm located in NC. By the way this is my first time posting. Good luck Buzz

Post by **Admin** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 7:24 am

Welcome Buzz! [8D] David Sumich 1986 SF - 33 Megabites Huntington Harbour, CA Forum Administrator

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 9:29 am

Buzz... Thanks for the note. I am in Wilmington, exactly 1 mile north of Carolina Beach on the ICW. Have only been here about 18 months (I am one of those damn Yankees you guys here all love!) and never been to Morehead City but have been thinking about going there after the holidays for a look around. I really would like to pick your brain about routine engine maintenance, etc. I should have the surveys done on the '83 FBC I have an offer on some time in early January, so I won't know until after that if in fact the boat is mine. What year are your engines, and how have you found them to be as far as dependability, etc? Frank B Somewhere between having made an offer and passing papers

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 10:05 am

Frank It's a 1998 FBC model boat. The former onwer installed the engines in 2000. I have several friends that had boats with the Cummins or Yanmars. They didn't have Bertrams. So I can not compare a 33 with Cummins to a 33 with Yanmars. None of the Yanmar owner had anything bad to say about them but I looked for a boat with Cummins because the parts where cheaper and easy to come by. I just liked the Cummins better. With the 315 you only need the trim tabs to trim the boat not to get up on a plane. I am going to add block heaters this winter to cut down on the smoke at start up. That's one thing I don't like about the Cummins, on a cold start up they do tend to smoke but it doesn't take long to clear up. I usually cruise around 2300-2400 and the speed is around 22-24 knotts. If you ever come up to Morehead give me a call. I'll be glad to show you my boat. With all the 33 Bertrams in our area maybe we can all get together this summer. Thanks Buzz

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 10:43 am

quote:Originally posted by buzzk Frank It's a 1998 FBC model boat. Buzz, Welcome aboard. I think you mean its a 1988. How long have you had it? What is the boat's history? Was it a gas convsersion, or did it originally have diesels? How many hours on the Cummins now? Do you have a generator? If so, what model/size? What will the boat do on the pins (if I'm not mistaken, I think 2800 is WOT for the 315hp Cummins, correct)? Also, what size shafts and what props? Gear ratio? Sorry for all the questions, its just that almost daily I change my mind on re-power options. One day I'm convinced I'll go with new 8.1 Crusaders, and the next I'm sure factory re-manufactured Cummins are the way to go. Thanks in advance for your answers and once again welcome aboard. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 12:55 pm

Doug You're right it's a 88. I have a 6 Kw Northern Lights generator. That's one thing I don't like about Bertrams is the generator under the cockpit but I like the Northern Lights it's quiet and runs great. The boat was gas and I'm not sure which gas engines it came with. 2800 is WOT and will run 28-29 knotts at that RPM. Mine is propped where it will turn around 2850 max. The shafts are 1 1/2" and I'm running a three blade 22.75 diameter with 25.47 pitch props. She has ZF gears 1.750:1 ratio. I have checked the speeds with RPM's, but haven't done an accurate GPH at the different RPM's so I cann't be of any help there. Maybe I'll check that this winter. Thanks Buzz

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 1:01 pm

Thanks for the update Buzz. Last question, how many hours on thr mains? Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 3:09 pm

Doug I don't remember exactly but I think it's 625 or so. Next time I think about it I'll check. Thanks Buzz

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 3:33 am

BuzzK... You mentioned above your displeasure about the hatch over your generator leaking.. a common complaint with Bertram 33's it seems.. Somewhere I read where one owner bought a rubberized cloth barbeque grill cover which he put over his generator when he was not using the boat.. seems like a good solution if you can't fix the leaks in the first place. Frank B Somewhere between having made an offer and passing papers

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 5:57 am

That would be me. I cover the gen with a grill cover when not in use. It also has a sound shield which offers more protection. I added that for the protection, rather than noise dampening. If you keep those dumb drain hoses clear under the hatch covers it stays pretty dry. I clean mine out everyday when we on trips. They get clogged with $hit and then the water runs down on top of everything underneath. Gene Dugan

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 6:12 am

Great idea Gene, is the sound shield just on the hatch, or does it box in the genset? 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida

richcatch22 · Post by **richcatch22** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 8:27 am

Frank Good luck with your deal. You seem like you have done due diligence with the research. The best advise I got and has been a great resource in becoming Diesel educated is to join Boatdiesel.com. For $25 you can search the archives. You can find out alot about the survey and what to expect. The best part about buying a Bertram is nobody will ask why! How about a new topic for that leaky deck hatch and wet gennie? Capt Rich Catch 22 1989 33 FBC

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 2:38 pm

Thanks Rich... I am going to join that forum.. I have been reading posts there for some time but was hesitant to join until I actually had a diesel powered boat. You probably read above that I have an offer accepted but am waiting until early Jan to do the sea trial and surveys on an '83 FBC with 1999 Cummins B series 315HP power. I see you are new here.. and I am a relatively new member myself. I have been able to ask lots of questions here and the regulars have been really tolerant of me.. lots of good info to be found here! BTW.. Where are you located and what do you have for boat, engines, etc. If I don't ask you someone else surely will soon! Welcome.. I am sure others will welcome you as well to this small but elite fraternity of Bertram 33 owners. Frank B Somewhere between having made an offer and passing papers

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 2:48 am

Ed, I have the Kohler sound shield. I think I paid about $400-$500 for the kit. The sound shield does not protect the electrical panel is my only gripe. The grill cover and keeping the the drains cleaned out under the hatch cover is the key. I have a mooring cover for the cockpit too, which helps everything to stay dry. biggest problem is divers dripping saltwater from wetsuits, etc. I added this Genset in 1998 or 99, and I have no rust or corrosion, other than normal wear & tear. Gene Dugan