Transporting Bertram 35

dpmike · Post by **dpmike** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 12:47 pm

Newbie here in So Cal - looking to East Coast to purchase a diesel '81 or newer Bertram 35 and wondered if anyone has put one of these on a truck and transported cross country. What I've seen so far is that it's do-able with removal of flybridge. Any information or personal experience comments with respect to approximate cost and pitfalls would be greatly welcomed. Thanks. Mike from Dana Point

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 4:13 pm

Mike... You should talk with Mike Colbach in Oregon.. he just put his B35 up for sale about a week ago.. it sounds like a great deal. It has gas engines but they are low hours and with the price of diesel today vs gas the difference in fuel savings has pretty much evaporated. If you are definitely committed to diesels there is always the opportunity to repower. He bought his boat on the East coast and had it shipped cross country, so he knows that deal as well. Below is a link to his most recent post offering the boat for sale here... http://www.bertram33.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1694

CB35 · Post by **CB35** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 4:35 pm

While I have never seen Mike's boat and I would not know Mike if I tripped over him, his boat sounds like a steal. You would also save a ton of money on transportation. I have a 1984 35B with 3208 Cats straight from the factory. I have seen many 35B repowers from gas to diesel. Many had serious short comings. Some of the major problems I have seen: substandard motor mounts just to save a few bucks, poorly designed exhaust systems (you should be able to back a a boat down without water drowning the engine) small shafts, single struts (factory diesel 35B's came with two shaft struts)and transmissions not rated for the HP. In almost every case the cause of the short comings were just to save a few bucks. I point this out only to say a diesel repowered 35B may not be the best option. I see what Bertram did on the their factory diesel boats; most of the the repower jobs I have looked at were substandard. Just know what you are buying and don't just buy a diesel 35B because you want diesel.

mistersea · Post by **mistersea** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 5:23 pm

Mike, I just bought a 38 in the Great Lakes and had it transported over land to Miami. The round numbers were something like the following: Prep for shipment $4,500.00 - they took off the entire flybridge, the bimini top, etc., built a wooden frame to protect the flybridge while on the truck, put some shrink wrap around the top to keep cables in place and keep rain out of the salon (AC vents). Shipment $7,700.00 - that included permits, the tractor trailer, fuel, and the government required chase vehicle. Replacement of flybridge - ~ $2,500.00 - this number is approx. because I am having about $10,000.00 worth of other stuff done that will appear on the same bill as the reinstall of the flybridge, but that number is in the ball park. That translates into something along the lines of $15,000.00 for the job. In my case I am pleased that I did it this way. (although the job is not yet complete, ask me again in 30 days [:o] ). While I live in So. Florida, which is clearly Bertram country, the fresh water boat I found was $15,000.00 cleaner in my eyes then any of the other ones I looked at. The vendors I used were not the least expensive. You might be able to find cheaper. After surveying the boat, I was working the deal from afar and trying not to have to keep flying back and forth. The vendors I used had the reputation for being expensive but dependable and competent. So far that has been the way it is working out. The boat made it to Miami and is in good shape. Auto dealers used to have an expression - "You can never pay too much for clean, and you can never pay too little for rough." [IMG]http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee12 ... 08copy.jpg[/IMG] If you have any other questions do not hesitate to ask. Folks on this site having a history of being very helpful. Good luck, Robert

Post by **dougl33** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:25 am

quote:Originally posted by IRGuy It has gas engines but they are low hours and with the price of diesel today vs gas the difference in fuel savings has pretty much evaporated. Not so sure I'd go that far. Gas and diesel are pretty much the same here in Mass. I'm still burning about a third less while going 5 knots faster. I'm sure if I could wipe the smile off my face and slow down back to 18-19 knots I'd save even more.

BECCA ROSE · Post by **BECCA ROSE** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:36 am

The range and speed with diesel still keeps me happy with my set up.

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 2:00 pm

Mike, I purchased my 33'in Jacksonville, FL and shipped it to Fairhaven, MA. Round numbers were: - Prep to dismantle bridge and remove = $1,000 - $1,200 I worked with mechanic to complete in order to understand how it would all go back together. Advice = take pictures of everything under the dash as it made reassembly much easier (what goes where). - Shipping = $3,000 - trucker avoided chase car by calling it a 12' beam versus 12' 6" - Reassembly - I did majority of bridge reassembly other than yard lifting the bridge back on. I have to dig up my pictures sometime, as I've never posted them. Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Yanmar 370's Never Say Never Guilford, CT (Homeport) Kinnelon, NJ (Home)

kevin gillespie · Post by **kevin gillespie** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:38 pm

hey charlie my 79 b35 came with triplenickels and a single strut from the factory.

CB35 · Post by **CB35** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 5:32 am

The 3208 300HP Cats came with two struts. The 555's are a lot lower HP around 215HP and would never require two struts. The higher the HP the greater the need for two struts.

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 5:53 am

I always wondered why the 3208 35's had 2 struts and the 3208 (260-320hp) 33's only had one. I'm guessing that the shafts must be longer.

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:04 am

Doug... Regular gas around here is about $3.65 per gallon, while diesel fuel is still about 30-40 cents per gallon more. These are gas station prices. I don't dare ask what the marina prices are. This comparison is what I made my statement on. At these price comparisons the justification for repowering with diesels based on fuel cost savings requires someone to use their boat a whole lot more than a casual family boater does. I read somewhere that the normal usage by a recreational boater is between 100 and 200 hours per year.

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 11:49 am

Frank, I see what you're saying, but don't forget that its not just $$, its the range factor as well. Someone that wants to go way offshore won't do it in a gas powered boat.

BECCA ROSE · Post by **BECCA ROSE** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 12:31 pm

Always a great discussion. I always throw out the cost of the repower because it's an investment in the boat and it's something that's personally appealing to the owner. They make me feel good, isn't that why we buy "stuff" in the first place? It's like throwing dollar bills at a stripper. Some would say its a bad investment, others would say it's worth it because it makes them feel good. If you have to "justify" the cost of diesels you shouldn't be buying them in the first place. JMHO. Missed you in Plymouth Frank, hope all is well down there!

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 1:17 pm

quote:Originally posted by BECCA ROSE It's like throwing dollar bills at a stripper. Speaking of which...[:D] Frank, When are you back in this neck of the woods? I haven't been to Rt 1 in a long time.[}:)]

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 3:31 pm

Bill... Thanks for remembering me! I am sure Doug told you I was at my high school 50th reunion. Since I am 5% of my graduating class I wanted to go and see what happened to the rest. It was a good time, but I did miss seeing you all again. Next year! Doug... I am sure Bill's reference was innocent. He is such a nice quiet gentlemanly kind of guy. We are starting to take notice of Hanna, and Ike is starting to attract a little attention. I am making up a bunch of storm docklines out of 3/4" nylon I have had for two years.. nothing like waiting till the last minute! The forecast is for Hanna to hit somewhere south of us.. in the GA - SC area.. but it is too early to be very sure.. supposedly in 24-36 hours it will be more accurate. We shall see. In the meantime I am getting lines and fenders out of storage.. and I think I will take the new top off the flybridge. Stay tuned!