Bertram33 User Forum

I have an '88 33 with gas 454s and would like to have some idea of my range if I do not use WOT. I am planning a trip down east of 120-130 miles. Will I have the range to do that length trip without refueling? Any input appreciated Thanks

I have a 1987 33 sportfish with gas engines. Over the winter I installed flowscans to keep track of fuel used and I have to say they are worth the money and time(about $750 plus install) At about a 20 knot cruise I burn about 30 gallons an hour which works out to about .75 miles per gallon. You have to be carefull to not get into the secondaries on the carbs because the numbers go up in a hurry without feeling much difference in performance. The rule of thumb on fuel is one third of the tank each way and a third left for reserve. If it were me , I`d plan on a refuel stop at your destination. Don`t put much trust in the gas guage.Some times just wind and current will cause the numbers to change by 20% or more.( mostly worse rarely better) Please don`t let me be the only response here guys, I`d love to see other peoples fuel numbers. Frank price Rowley Ma 1987 sportfish "JEANNE CLAIRE"

I have 83 w/ gas (454's) and routinely make runs offshore as far as 60 miles, troll several hours, return home. Depending on conditions, crew, etc it varies but I have never used more than 200 gallons on this trip, leaving me with the 100 cushion I need. All that said, if the seas really kick up this would be cutting it close. Plus, if you can get fuel, why not? I think flow meter is in order largely because I am sure I could do better if I had one. Anyone ever replace the generator with fuel? Would make a nice spot for an extra tank.

Halsted, I also have a '88 33 with 454's and made a trip (end of April) from Marion MA, where I purchased the boat, to Greenwich CT, where it's docked. The trip was exactly 9 hours in a choppy sea (Buzzard’s Bay with a SW wind at 15 knots). I burned 250 gallons of fuel at about an 18-knot cruse. That's about 28 GPH. Sheer Folly Greenwich, CT

When we brought my friends 88 FBC with 454's from Md. to Ma. in May we avg'd 28 gph at 3100 rpms. Avg speed was between 19-20 knots. I imagine I get similar numbers from my 86 with 454's, but I haven't taken many long trips (running for 3 or more hours) to get a calc. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

I have 1997 Marine power 454's , turning 20 x 18 cupped props. Walkers Cay is 93 nautical miles from dock in Jupiter ,Fl. Trip takes from 5 to 5 and 1/2 hours burning 28 gph at 3150 rpm. With 260 fuel capacity , I generally have a reliable 100 gals. reserve. I also fitted the tank with a calibrated dip stick so that I can dip the tank at the gauge to get reliable fuel remaining for these Island trips. If engines well tuned , carbs adjusted, and bottom clean, 28 is a very accurate fuel consumption. Hell, I only got 25 gph with my 320 cats in a 36 delta sfx.

Thank you all for the input. It's most useful. Great 4th and summer to all of you.

Anyone ever look into replcing the genset with extra fuel tank? Seems like a great place for one.

Hello Ron, I'd like to be able to dip my tank as you do. I have a couple of ports that can be used for dipping. Could you give me the measurments of the calibration marks on your dip stick? I know the tank is a belly style which has the channel in the bottom then steps up wider above that channel.Any help would be welcomed. Thanks! Dan Scholz 1977 33 FBC Reel Riot

Gmarty I have a custom made fuel tank that replaces the generator, It holds a 100 gallons. I want a generator so it is coming out! Gunny

Dan, Unfortunately Ron has sold his Bertram and no longer frequents the site. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

Gunny, my concern is that the boat will run funny when the aux tank is low ie the lack of weight in the stern? Do you have a FBC? What year? I might be interested in that tank if still in good shape and it would fit my boat.

Boat runs fine with the tank empty, You will notice some difference in speed with tank full. She really does not change handling as fuel is consumed but speed improves. Gunny

OK I finally had a flowscan installed and need some feedback. Of course, all this will be resolved when I fill the boat Th but curious anyhow. I did an offshre trip Sat/Sun and as usual stopped in cuttyhunk Sat afternoon and topped off the fuel. Decided to spend the noght and head out early Sunday. Anyway, the trip to Cuttyhunk was my first experince with the flowscan and it immediately seemed wrong to me. It was reading about 16-18 gallons/hour at about 18 knots (loaded with fuel and ice) which seemed low. When I arrived it said I used 18.5 gallons to run about 17 miles. Sure as **** the thing was spot on when I topped her off. Next, I head out fishing about 45 miles south, troll for about 5 hours (at about 7 knots) and return home about 55 miles. I returned with it saying I used about 95 gallons the entirte day. I have yet to fill her, and I hoping it is right, but that seems way way too low to me. Any thoughts on why that thing would or could be wrong?

GMarty, I does seem low. The average mileage seems to be about .70 to .75 MPG at a decent 17 to 18 KT cruise. I'm sure you have noticed by now that you get a lot better mileage while trolling so that will help your average but it still seems hard to believe that you're getting about 1 MPG, unless you're using MILES instead of KNOTS? Even so , I bet your numbers are correct, it's tough to fool a flowscan as long as the guages are reading the whole time you're operating. The last time I opened up the throttles all the way, a piece of dirt from the tank plugged up my port side fuel flow sender and it wouldn't read on that guage until I could open it up and blow through it. Since then, no problems and it's always accurate. Frank Price