looking to buy a 33fbc

wlp · Post by **wlp** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:38 am

Permission to come aboard? New member to what appears to be a terrific source of bertram information. I'm seriously looking for a 33fbc and have inspected 6 or 8 with the usual number of rejections/maybe's. I'm basically a cummins/yanmar guy if a conversation warrants(prefer a 33fbc with tired gas engines). My question: what should I be looking for when conducting a a thorough hull inspection? are there any specific areas or conditions that call for very careful inspections that may be particular to a 33fbc.I'm familiar with "front end" stringer/ bulkhead problems and delam of plywood around rudder control rods. Thanks WLP

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 10:27 am

Welcome and happy hunting. You will find lots of good info here.. some have recently repowered and have a lot of good info to share.. ask questions and you will get good answers. BTW: I believe someone here has a gas FBC for sale.. if he does not post something here we can get his contact info for you later. Now.. to your specific question above... There is an almost universal problem with the FBCs cabin aft bulkhead delaminating. The track mounting system Bertram used on the sliding glass door allows fresh water to get between the bottom track and the bulkhead exterior surface at the bottom edge. This water eventually finds it's way up into the plywood core of the aft bulkhead, causing delamination and rot. It seems as if everyone here with an FBC has it, most have fixed it. I have not yet fixed mine, but I have delam issues on both sides of the door, one area extends all the way up to the bottom edge of the window. Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

Post by **Admin** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 9:28 pm

Frank, if you ever find the time, could you take a picture of that and send it to me? I'd like it for the archives.

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 4:32 am

David... Since I haven't started any repairs, I am not sure what a pic will show at this time. There is a noticeable "ripple" in the outer skin between the lower edge of the large sliding glass window on the stbd side of the bulkhead, and if you push it you can feel it is completely separated from the core. This is also the case on the interior as well. The delam issue on the port side is less severe on the outer skin, and since the cabinets in the cabin abutt the bulkhead below the window there I can not see the lower part. I can try to see if pics will show things as they are now. If you would like I can take lots of pics during the repair process, and make a record for others to view. This is one of the projects I plan on starting in a couple of months after I finish some things in our now 3 year old house. As far as I know almost everyone who has repaired theirs has done it from the outside. (I believe Buzz Kistler with "Buzz Off" has done his from the inside). Since I plan on gutting the cabin interior and doing a complete rebuild anyway I will be removing the inner skin of the aft bulkhead, and revealing the damage from the inside. Once the extent of the damage is visible I will cut out and replace the rotted area, and then recover the inner surface with either wood veneer (most likely) or a formica type material (my least favored concept.) I hope to keep the exterior undisturbed if possible. Let me know how you would like me to proceed with the documentation and I will be happy to oblige. (Since this string is wandering from WLPs original post do you want to start another dedicated to just this project?) Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 5:56 am

WLP... Just thought of two other issues.. The generators in most B33s are located under the aftermost cockpit hatch cover. The gutters in most cockpit hatches lose their drain spigots (the small stubs of pipe that connect the gutters to the drain tubes), so the water leaking around the hatch covers is able to drop down onto the generator. This turns the generator into a rusty mess if allowed to continue. Also.. on my boat the main 12 volt battery switch panel (between the engines above the two engine batteries) was badly deteriorated. The old glass screw-in fuses had deteriorated, the wiring was corroded, and even the unpainted wood box the mess was in had started to come apart. I have seen some B33s with original panels that still looked pretty good, but mine was trash. I have replaced it completely. Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

wlp · Post by **wlp** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 5:53 pm

Frank; Lots of thanks for your quick reply and insightful suggestions While I was aware of the gen. problen/cause I was completely unaware of the problems re. the delam at the sliding door track area as well as at the batt, switch panel bulkhead. I'll be attentive to those areas on monday when I'm schedule to inspect two 35fbc's. I'll be watching for your repair project photos on these areas and wish you a trouble free repair Thanks again, this site has been a bonus in only a few days, outstanding! WLP PS I'll be watching for post on the gas FBC you mentioned.

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 8:49 pm

WLP... Sorry.. I finally located the post I was referring to.. and found it was for a sportfish, not a flybridge cruiser. The best source I know of for searching for boats for sale is Yachtworld, but I assume you already have been there. Thanks for the kind words.. you will find lots of help here! Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

smithmk913 · Post by **smithmk913** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:16 am

Have '87 33FBC(gas) for sale. Give me a call to find out details. Mike Smith 31-965-3322.

smithmk913 · Post by **smithmk913** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:17 am

sorry on the phone number 317-965-3322. Mike Smith

wlp · Post by **wlp** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 4:28 pm

Mike,so Far So Good, many thanks to both you and IR Guy.I'll try to call early during week of8/27. WLP

wlp · Post by **wlp** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 4:39 pm

Frank B, thanks for the effort ,it no doubt, accounts for the reply from Mike Smith. I've been all over yacht world and have travelled to inspect about a dozen Berts,only 2 possibilities to date so am looking to talk to Mike. WLP

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 5:55 pm

WLP... Keep looking, and when you get seriously interested in one be sure your surveyor knows these boats.. if you need a reference for a good surveyor ask here and someone from the area where the boat is will possibly be able to recommend someone. A good surveyor is worth his weight in gas or diesel fuel! Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:15 am

To find a good survey I would first look here... http://www.marinesurvey.org/

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:46 am

Mike Smiths boat is very nice! And what better place for a test ride than Marathon. Mike I will be there this weekend are you going to be around in Marathon?

jeff · Post by **jeff** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:37 am

wlp I might be talked into selling my '77 33FBC. Cummins repower now about 400 hours. Northern Lights 8KW gen. A/C has been replaced, custon cabinet work new carpet. All systems new or nearly new. Give me a call at 941.302.1545. Jeff Stephens Now and Then