Bertram33 User Forum

Yeah, we needed the height due to the come-along. Tank can be lifted by two guys. Al

Popped it loose a couple nights ago! Thanks! Ended up cutting a couple holes to attach the come along to. A little scary when everything starts popping and tearing, but not too hard a project getting it out. I'm waiting for the yard to lift it out, didn't have my setup high enough to lift it completely out of the hole and it looked difficult to try to lift it out of that hole with two guys - no place to stand. On to the motors now. Where is the best place to get a replacement (I'm in CT)?

Alternitive Fuel Blatters....found this in prof magagine FWIW. www.atlfuelcells.com 800-526-5330 Steve

Hi Rick, I'm about to do the tank "adventure " on a 28 Gasser, and just contacted SP for a quote. Strange, they asked me for a tank drawing with dimensions on the 28'. Do you or anybody out there have such a drawing? Thanks Chuck

Welcome to our playground. On some of the various Bert sites, some people have advised of problems with SP. Don't remember any details. As far as a drawing, I believe Bert used three different sizes on the B28. You will also have to indicate where you want the pickups, vent & gauge sending unit. Good Luck Al

Welcome aboard ! Can't be much help either, I'm not sure of 28 Bert sizes. You're better off to remove the tank first anyway. Take a look around in there and see if you can fit a larger tank. At the minimum, you'll get exact dimensions of the current tank. I agree with Al, I've also heard of problems with SP. I think with a little shopping, you'll find a better deal. Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA

High Tide Marine has drawings of there 190 gallon tank replacement for the B28. I know they are expensive but they always seem to have what you may need.

Hi to All It would a appear from many boats owners over here in Aus, are now using Polyproperlene diesel fuel tanks, I have noticed most members on this site when considering tank replace ment are looking at Fiberglass, aluminium, or stainless, but not polyproperlene. Has any one used or had any experience with polyproperlene fuel tanks, as I am about to replace my fuel tank and leaning towards this type of tank , so far I have had no bad reports ( all good) I would be interested to receive any input here from any one before I make the final decision. Regds Syd

A quick cautionary tale about High Tide. I realize the guy has a large markup, fair enough for the right parts. Knowing this I ordered an exhaust Y from him over the winter to match the original one I had on my 33 on the other side (one had gotten water on it and rotted). Yes, it is cast, etc, but I was keeping it original. Everywhere I looked I couldn't find the original piece. I emailed High Tide, and he could get it. I paid what was a very high price for it (Not sure exactly, but around 150% of other vendors) and he shipped it. Once again I had no problem as it was "the right" part. When I got it, it turned out it was simply the run of the mill Y I had seen everywhere and wasn't the right match. I called and proceeded to return it. The problem occurs when I was charged a hefty restocking charge. I called and was told that is the charge the vendor charges. I felt this was not my error, but this is the decision of the seller, it's his policy. I'm not one to argue beyond an explanation. Needless to say it cost me not only the return shipping but also the restocking charge, over $50. Be VERY careful, not everything is the right fit, and it might cost you. I say this because High Tide is "the answer" on this site. Just don't trust them to know. I still may use them should I not be able to find something, but will be sure it is returnable should it be wrong or request pictures, etc.

SP did two 28B tanks for good friends of mine. Maybe Bill will chime in. Anyway SP had their tanks to make an exact copy. By the way both were the same. One tank was made backwards. The pickups on the wrong end. The second tank the fuel pick-up was way off the bottom. The third tank fit; but there was also not room for the shutoff valve between the tank and the deck. Both tanks were only about 140 gallons instead of 165 gallons or more. SP had the fiberglass tanks in their possession so they could make exact copies. They were not even close. I would forget about them. Oh they did not even add a second fitting for a return line if you ever wanted to do to diesel. The reason they want you to make drawings is so they can blame you if the tank is not right. Past performance is an indication of what you can expect in the future.

Some comments on High Tide. If you are looking for common off the shelf stuff just order it off the internet. High Tide does not have 35 year old Y pipes still in stock. Same goes for tiller arms or shaft struts. High Tide does have some very nice stuff. Their stainless rubber post bearing are the bomb. I got mine from Norther Tool for 6 bucks instead of $75. the 6 dollar version was the same as the ones that lasted 20 years. In fact nothing was wrong the bearing. I just ruined it getting the rudder out. They do have everything you need. Your problem is figuring out exactly what you need. You can call them for a steering arm and it comes UPS. If you knew the exact deminsions you could go to your local prop/shaft shop and get one made. Same goes for rudders. High Tide makes it easy you just get to pay the price. High Tides stainless name plates are just perfect. I don't know where you can get them with anyways near their quality. High Tide has the stuff and they know their stuff; but they ain't Kmart.

Sorta late but if anyone is looking into the atl bladders, I purchased a 150 gallon bladder for the back of my pickup, and to use on the bow of the bertram when needed. I have to say, it is very high quality and I'm even thinking of putting a small one in the bow as the aux tank. I think it would be better than cutting up the fiberglass. Anyway, just saying that they are nice bladders. And about the fiberglass tank, I have used ethanol in mine for about 1000 gallons now and it's fine. I don't add anything and don't even keep it full, only because I haven't had time to fill it. I am replacing my carbs back to the original quadrajet's and there is no residue of resin in the intakes.

Justin, What is an "atl bladder"? I would be very wary of using any type of flexibile bladder below decks on a boat.

Google ATL Tanks. These tanks are tough as nails. Military uses them for fuel in the 100,000 gallon size. They are a must in race cars and other action sports. They even have baffles in some now. That is a must for boats. Just cut the top off your old fiberglass tank, ripe out the existing baffles, smooth things off and drop in an ATL. Wham Bam thankyou Mame

I would not consider a fuel cell as a boat tank. The practical service life in a race car is about 10 years. They are expensive unless you can use a standard size, custom ones are more money than a new glass tank. Good for the military , race cars and airplanes. You know, people with too much money. And Charlie, before you tell me I don't know what I'm talking about, We put them in race cars all the time and have custom ones made for older race cars that need them. They are not quite as simple a fix as you think. Syd, There is a condition in which diesel fuel will "settle out" and after long periods of time will form a tar like substance on the bottom of a diesel tank. It is a common problem on older diesel boats, I know of one where they sent a guy in the tank to actually shovel it out and clean up the mess.This is an older boat that spent lots of time unused. I wonder if someones diesel tank had this condition and you got some of the sludge at the bottom? Maybe the guys that think your tank is failing are really just going by all the mis-information about fiberglass tanks and E-10 and making a hypothesis to support that mis-information and what you really have is what I mention above????