1978 Sportfish

Blcdog · Post by **Blcdog** » Sat Dec 31, 2016 8:14 am

Happy New Year all, I''ve been looking for some time for a 33sf and one has come to me in my backyard. I've known this boat for many years and she might possibly be available. She is a 1978 sf with 3208's in her. Not sure of the hour count but I know for a fact that she very well. She also has the cabin controls which I am not a fan of. I am very interested in this boat. The question I have is are there any issues in the 1978 model that I should be aware of as opposed to other model years? Looking for a water ride. Stonington, CT

Blcdog · Post by **Blcdog** » Sat Dec 31, 2016 8:16 am

quote:Originally posted by Blcdog Happy New Year all, I''ve been looking for some time for a 33sf and one has come to me in my backyard. I've known this boat for many years and she might possibly be available. She is a 1978 sf with 3208's in her. Not sure of the hour count but I know for a fact that she very well maintained. She also has the cabin controls which I am not a fan of. I am very interested in this boat. The question I have is are there any issues in the 1978 model that I should be aware of as opposed to other model years? Looking for a water ride. Stonington, CT Looking for a water ride. Stonington, CT

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Sat Dec 31, 2016 11:22 am

Kevin, If the SF is like a 1978 FBC electrically, then you will have to keep an eye on the electrical interconnect terminals. If my memory is correct, there are 8 DC terminal strips, a DC ground term strip, 2 AC term strips & another for the AC grds. The problem is that Bertram used spade connectors.Through the years corrosion builds up as well as some just loosening up & popping off. Al

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Sat Dec 31, 2016 11:50 am

I am certainly not bashing B33s with Cat 3208 engines, but if they are the original 260HP engines she will be a tad slow, but on the other hand if they were rebuilt/upgraded to above 375HP they are known to have short life spans. However, the 260 HP engines should pretty much outlast most of us here in this forum.

Blcdog · Post by **Blcdog** » Sat Dec 31, 2016 2:47 pm

Working on getting more particular details on the systems as I think the current owner has just seriously thought about selling. If I am lucky enough to purchase her, I will be doing a lot of the work myself, but I am not a diesel wrench by any means. Luckily I have this forum as a resource. Thanks for the heads up on the electrical and engine info. I'm not looking for speed as she will spend her time between Stonington and Block Isl. Looking for a water ride. Stonington, CT

Blcdog · Post by **Blcdog** » Sat Oct 21, 2017 1:50 pm

Reserecting my old thread for some help from everyone. As it turns out, the boat I have had my eye on for awhile is available. I got to spend some time on it today and do a cursory inspection. After crawling in and out the one thing that jumps out at me is that the cockpit sole over the fuel tank is spongy. The companion way between the engine cover is solid as is the aft section to the transom. The are crazing crack in the deck so I know it's time to be replaced. It appears this section may have possibly been replaced at some point as the sole section from rh transom to the engine covers seems to be sectioned off and the 3 hatches aft inset. The current owner is not sure if this section is original, but he has not done any work here. Anyone know the approx cost to replace the deck? Looking for a 33' water ride.

Capn Tony · Post by **Capn Tony** » Sun Oct 22, 2017 3:55 am

Several winters ago when I hauled I tackled the soft spot in the center of my cockpit. Pulled the deck, took it home and routed all the spongy balsa core out. What I thought was going to be a small spot turned out to be more than 50% soggy. Glassed in a new composite core was not difficult at all. Would be happy to send you pics of the entire project.

Blcdog · Post by **Blcdog** » Sun Oct 22, 2017 4:20 am

That would be great Tony. Thx. If you were to calculate a general cost, worst case scenario, what do you think the project cost?

PleasureBay · Post by **PleasureBay** » Sun Oct 22, 2017 8:36 am

I have an '82 SF and the aft section of the deck has three hatches in it. The center is for the generator and port and starboard to get to the rudders and other gear.

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Mon Oct 23, 2017 7:55 am

Replacing the coring isn't a hard job but it's a nasty job.

Blcdog · Post by **Blcdog** » Mon Oct 23, 2017 2:27 pm

The 3 hatches are fine. It's the sole between them and the engine covers that is failing. I see there maybe replacement soles but I don't think I need to do the entire cockpit. The gen set is a bit rusty but from what I've read this is a known issue. The bilge is fairly clean luckily. [img]https://photos.app.goo.gl/dfQ0oI85qCzjCGuk1[/img]

Capn Tony · Post by **Capn Tony** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 2:47 am

I don’t quite remember but it wasn’t much. A sheet of corsa board few gallons of epoxy and hardener and a roll of heavy woven glass. Maybe $500-$600 tops. If you want to text me your email I’ll send you pics. Text me at 508-280-3400.

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 7:24 am

Just about everyone here has had their decks re-cored. Like Tony said, it isn't hard to re-core, you just need a bunch of guys to help left the deck out of the boat and same going back in. If there's a fighting chair setup, you'll have to get a long extension to remove it's bolts from the aft bulkhead. Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA

Blcdog · Post by **Blcdog** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 3:43 pm

There was a fighting chair there at one time. Will likely eliminate that if I end up buying. Trying to figure how to attach pics.

Capn Tony · Post by **Capn Tony** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 3:16 am

quote:Originally posted by Blcdog There was a fighting chair there at one time. Will likely eliminate that if I end up buying. Trying to figure how to attach pics. Text me at 508-280-3400 and i’ll Reply with pics