Bertram33 User Forum

Was that the official survey/sea-trial? If so, I'd be pretty pissed that he wouldn't run the engines up to WOT. I'd make sure I had a certified DD guy give the engines a seperate survey.

Symeon, The 38 is a popular boat for a repower and you are right it is a lovely boat to spend the day on (or the week for that matter). Handling the lines is where I find the challenge operating the 38 solo. By the time I get the bow line taken care of and scurry up to the bridge, the boat has begun to drift if there as an aggressive current or wind. Other than the line docking, the boat is a joy to operate. If the boat is in good shape and you get her, you will be very pleased with the layout, build, and access for service. Best of luck to you, R.

Doug, no, this was not the official water trial. The owner suggested it, we were actually taken by surprise! But we never say no to any ride on the water! Anyway, I agree with you that we should go full WOT, and I will have a verified DD guy on board ... but it is still early since I will only do this if I am firm on the purchase. This brings me to the comments in the previous post by Regalo. Yes, it is a great boat, the space is without a doubt superior to our current 33SF, however, two issues are of concern and I am still mulling them over in my head: 1. its shere size to handle alone is daunting; also going up and down the ladder is a steep challenge! 2. the given 38's condition vis-a-vis its asking price is difficult to swallow when looking at the price of these boats across the pond! He is asking 120,000Euros (with the exchange rate in USD it is crazy) ... However, since I believe that with the 38 there will be no need to look elsewhere, I am really motivated ... my logical head however suggests that I should not rush into it if I am not 100% sure ... yes, the 33SF is still blessed with so many advantages! We shall see, for the time being we have national elections tomorrow and hence this can wait ...

The boat is still on the market and down considerably to 80K. I have excluded it as an option, but a close friend is hot. We inspected it on the dry dock and found a double ended bow thruster "that needs servicing" - any experience with bow thruster installation and how safe they are for the boat's structural strength?

Very safe if installed by a professional with lots of experience. If done correctly, I would think it would add strength to the area.

I agree. If I were to keep my boat long enough I'd consider adding one as the wife and I get older.

I agee with Doug, not running up to wot means they're hiding something. For diesels that's how you can judge if the props are the right size. As for repower, anything you use that's been built in the last 10+ years will be dramatically different in size. Any Volvo, Cummins or Cat would be a good choice in the 450+hp range and as most others suggest, go with the one you can get serviced most easily. I put 420hp CAT's in a gas B35 and have been nothing but pleased. I know Tom and Charlie pretty well and agree that he had done a nice job on his 38 and the Cummins were nice motors. The boat served him well, his next step up was a Bertram 50. As far as being able to run it single handed, it gets a litte tough without a lower station or cockpit controls. I regularly run my B35 alone, but I have a lower station which makes it easier to jocky lines and still control the boat. I really love the B33SF, it's a great utility boat and unless you just want some extra inside space, I don't think you'll be gaining that much in a B38. It is a royal pain in the A$$ accessing the engines through the salon floor (as I have to do in my B35), I envy the B33's with the exterior access. Best of luck in your search!!