Bertram33 User Forum

Will, We either go to Bimini or West End from Boca Inlet. I think Bimini is 65 miles against the Stream, and West End 61 miles going with it. I avg. about 120 gal. with the gen set. Load is usually 8-10 Scuba tanks 2 Adults 2 Kids and the Dog. Some food for the kids and the dog .Lots of beer. Boca/West End to Hope Town was about $2500 in fuel. I was paying $3.17 to $3.26 per gal over there. I'll only run the boat at 3200-3300 rpm. That gets me 16-18.5 knots, depending on the seas, and saves on fuel. E.W. Dugan

E.W. Thanks for the info. I almost took my boat from Jax to Hope Town (via St Lucie) this past Aug but got a little weak in the knee when I calculated the fuel bill at the fare Bahamian price of $3.50/gallon. Took a 26 ft Blackwatch with twin Yamaha 4 strokes instead....talk about fuel economy 2.4 mpg at 26knts fully loaded at 11,000 lbs....only spent about $2,000 total for fuel and put anout 100 hrs on the boat. On your way to Hope Town, did you stop at West End to clear or was that a calculated fuel stop? I guess it would be tough to take the Bertram all the way to Spanish...from St Lucie Inlt it is about...what, 150 miles as I recall so we would be pushing it with any kind of weather. That is my main preoccupation with the conversion issue...I can't take long trips (such as Ft Pierce to Spanish cay) due to the present endurance at 32-36 gph at 3150 rpms or 10hrs. Wish there was another solution other than spending my chidrens education because I sure would love to take her to the islands...part of the deal! I bet you had fun with the boat down there. Where did you dive and where did you stay?..maybe will rendeavou with you down there next summer if I make enough money this year!! Best, Will Newton 1989 FBC 33

quote:Originally posted by dougl33 Eric, What do you cruise at with the Cummins and what did you do about the gennie? Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

Oops posted that previous reply by accident. I cruise 23- 24 knots depending how heavily loaded (2400 RPMs). As far as a gennie I went with a new Northern Lights 5kw. quote:Originally posted by dougl33 Eric, What do you cruise at with the Cummins and what did you do about the gennie? Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

Will, I definatly hit West End to clear and take on fuel. From there I have made it all the way to Treasure. But my normal itiniary is lay up at Spanish and do some day trips up to Moran and Allans-Pensicola. Run down to Hope Town and stay at Sea-Spray. Do most of everything based there. Got to have a dink. I have a 13 Avon with a 35 merc. I'll never drag that thing again. I'm shopping for a blow up. Leave all the Scuba gear home. $9.00 a fill. All the good stuff is shallow. Snorkel gear only. Take a small freezer and sell it on the way home. The further you go Ice and water can be a problem. All my friends go to Boat Harbor and just sit there. Might as well stay tied to their own dock.i like being out on the barrier islands. We're thinking June 2004, for the next Abacos trip. But we'll see. Anybody that wants to go is welcome. Bigger party E.W. Dugan

E.W. Glad to know you are as safe on fuel as I am. I can't stand recaculating my math when I'm 120 miles from anywhere. I'm certainly in your camp. We rent houses south of Sea Spray and avoid Boat Harbor if possible. Don't know why you would want to stay in a marina that looks like any other marina on the east coast (accept for looking at Sport Fish row). We went during the first week of bug season and had a blast getting lobsters...adds to the adventure with the children (8,5). Been doing it for several years as many from Jacksonville invade Elbow for the month of Aug. We did one dive with Froggies on Foul but agree with you in terms of shallow stuff plus it was ruff as snot and we got our brain beat out on there dive boat. I bet the digny was a pain and really adds to the old fuel bill...bet Jr. loved seeing you pull in at the Sea Spray dock. Would love to work out a trip together...we usally go in Aug and come with a ton of folks most in bigger Bertrams. Would be a good picture for this site to have 2 33 (other too if they could make it) in that crystal water tied up together. We have a group going down in July for Man-O-War so we could hook in with them...I'll stay in touch. Good to talk with you. best, Will Newton

Will, NP. I figure with the cost of getting into the Bahamas and Fuel nowdays, I will try to do a 2 week trip and be done with it. Maybe take it to the Keys and leave it for a month or so. I have a free dock there. Have to see how much money is left after my wife made me remodel the house. Just think, I could have had the money to put those 330 Cummins in the 33. And the foundation isn't even poured yet. E.W. Dugan

E.W. I hear you. Age old problem...been dealing with what the wife wants since the age of the Cave Man. See if you can hide the cost of a re-power somewhere in the new construction...try putting it in her closet or her batroom. She'll never question that line item! Will

More info from the Ft. Lauderdale Show. I spent an hour with Crusadar talking about the 8.1. First, I was talked out of the HP @425hp. You only get there at 5000 rpm. So the 385 hp is the choice. One thing I didn't know was they make it without the electronic fuel cell. That eliminates the return fuel lines back to the tank. No performance difference, less to go wrong, less $. With the ZF 2.5 gear it came to about 12K per side. I'm sure there is room for improvement. I wasn't to excited about the 8.1 Marine Power, and I couldn't find a 8.1 SeaMax(PCM) at the Show. BTW, I got on the new Bertram 63. Sell the 33, for about 3.5M I can have that instead! E.W. Dugan

Eric, Do you know your fuel burn at 23-24 knts. 2400 prm's ????? Thanks Ken

quote:Originally posted by skyking Eric, Do you know your fuel burn at 23-24 knts. 2400 prm's ????? Thanks Ken

I burn about 22 GPH @2400 RPM quote:Originally posted by lunderic quote:Originally posted by skyking Eric, Do you know your fuel burn at 23-24 knts. 2400 prm's ????? Thanks Ken

Eric, What make and ratio are your gears, what size props and shafts are you running. Was this a repower, and if so who did it????? Thanks again and hope your are having a nice Thanksgiving !!!!! Ken 82' 33FBC "Blue Chip" ....looking to repower from G to D !!!!!

Ken, Gears are ZF IRM220A 1.53:1; shafts are 1.5" Aquamet22, props are 21X22 3 Blades with a #5 cup. Its slightly underpropped but I like it better that way. I can turn 2950 RPMs max. This was a repower (gas to deisel) that I had done by a Marina in Oceanside, NY. Are you local? I think they did a great job- I'm very happy. Eric quote:Originally posted by skyking Eric, What make and ratio are your gears, what size props and shafts are you running. Was this a repower, and if so who did it????? Thanks again and hope your are having a nice Thanksgiving !!!!! Ken 82' 33FBC "Blue Chip" ....looking to repower from G to D !!!!!

Hey Eric, Well the snow is falling now 5:00pm , but I'm still thinking about boating.....Yes I'm local...boat is in Branford, Ct for inside winter storage...and I live near White Plains, NY Where is Oceanside..??Long Island ??? and what is the name of the Marine ??? Thanks Ken