Bertram33 User Forum

I going to bring this thread back to life just for a easy question. It wasn't mentioned in previous threads. I guess when I rebuilt the head on the outboard Port engine a couple weeks ago, I probably broke a hose clamp or somthing at the front of the Port exhaust. My temper is the likely cause while getting the exhaust hose off. So now that I have to pull the cockpit floor out to fix it, how does the floor slip out from under the bridge ladder? Or do I have to pull that out by taking all the rails on the bridge off too???? Gene Dugan

Gene, I'm not sure how its set up on your boat, but I took my ladder off when I pulled my cockpit deck 2 years ago. The railing on the right hand side of the ladder came apart at the first T-fitting on the first upright stanchion, where the rail on the left hand side was not split so I had to take off the part of the railing where it attached to the bridge. It was not that hard. I know that when Bill pulled his cockpit deck up this past winter it was similar but slightly different because the bridge on his 88 is different than my 86. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

Gene, I just went back and looked at the pics you posted a couple of years ago. It looks like your boat is an 88 or newer, so lets see what Bill has to say about the ladder. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

Gene, Mine came off similar to how Doug said. You will also want to loosen the caulking around the cockpit sole. You may also have to disconnect the fighting chair bracket that isunder the sole and connected to the rear bulkhead. I say may because i disconnected mine and found out that after i did when i lifted the floor the bracket top which was 5200ed to the underside of the cockpit sole was unadhered.(sp)

I took the ladder off, I had to cut the rail at one of the T-fittings because the rail that runs along the port side is one long piece. Loosen the set screws at the first T and slide it forward, then cut the rail. When you put it back after, the split(cut) will be in the center of the T and it will be held in place by the set screw on the T. I took the bolts off the fighting chair base before I lifted out the deck. I could get my skinny arm in the generator hatch, and the other in the fuel tank sender hatch and reach the bolts and nuts. If you have someone to help it is easier to hold a wrench on one end. When the deck was off, I used a hand saw to cut the 5200 under the chair bracket. Bolt the bracket on the stringer first, before the deck goes back on. Bill 33 FBC Ipswich, Ma. [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... a_Rose.jpg[/img]

I did not remove the chair bracket from the underside of the deck. As Bill stated, its not hard to unbolt/re-bolt the bracket. If you think you'll ever have a fighting chair (boy would that be a tight fit!), then I would not remove the bracket from the underside of the deck. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

quote: If you think you'll ever have a fighting chair (boy would that be a tight fit!)- Doug Which is why Doug opted for the brass "Pole" instead! [:D] [}:)] 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... xandra.jpg[/img] HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR BERTRAM PRIDE '06 yet? DO IT NOW... SPACE IS LIMITED!

I took the bracket off because it's easier to bolt back on when the deck is off, then you just put 5200 on the bracket face and lay the cockpit on. Bill 33 FBC Ipswich, Ma. [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... a_Rose.jpg[/img]

Got it! I need to check out the ladder up on the bridge. There are set screws in both the 1st T's. I was thinking I could cut those like Bill says. So there is a bracket for a fighting pole under the deck? I never looked. I have one of those portable ones that I keep on the dock for the dancing girl trips to Miami. What will jump outta that hole under there when I pull the floor up? I bet there are some real treasures in there. I'm not looking forward to this. Gene Dugan

Gene, It's not all that bad of a job. You'll probably find a bunch of dirt is all and it will give you the opportunity to change the fuel fill hose. I felt a whole lot better after knowing what I had in there and knowing that the exhaust wasn't leaking anymore.

You might be inclined to fix any coring issues when the deck is up. It is almost a guarantee that you will find some black mush. Not a bad job to do if you need to do it. The coring is 3/4 inch balsa. It is a great time to do the rudder bearings also, you will never have better access to them! Change all the exhaust hose clamps while you can get to them also. It never ends does it?? Bill 33 FBC Ipswich, Ma. [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... a_Rose.jpg[/img]

Use SS T-Bolt clamps on the exhaust hoses, not the SS screw clamps. Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Guilford, CT (Homeport) Kinnelon, NJ (Home)

Brian you are so right! Over the years, if I have learned anything, it has been to use only the best products and overkill in hard to access areas, as you want to do it right the first time! 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... xandra.jpg[/img] HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR BERTRAM PRIDE '06 yet? DO IT NOW... SPACE IS LIMITED!

I checked the rails last night. I'd have to cut both of them at the middle of the "T". No big deal I guess. Once I pull that deck out, I plan to replace every hose and hose clamp with the best stuff I can find. Still couldn't see the fighting chair bracket. So Tim, if I'm repowering with the 8.1s , was there any modification to the exhaust aft of the bulkhead? I plan on changing out the old iron "Ts" & "Ys" with the new fiberglass ones. I just don't want to have to go under the floor again. Gene Dugan

No not aft of the bulkhead. they made special fittings for the exhaust but they were able to do all that from the engine room. However that being said it would probably be easier to pull the old and install the new with the deck off but not entirely neccessary.