Bertram33 User Forum

As fellow Bertram owners, and probably the closest Bertram brothers we have, I have created this forum group just for you guys. Maybe someday there will be a Bertram35 website, but until then, make yourselves at home here!

David, that was awfully thoughtful of you. I don't care what Doug said about you, I still think you are a great guy! [: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!

Thanks for the 35 Forum!! I have a 1979 I'm planning on repowering so I definately appreciate it!

Thanks mod., Seafighter, have a 73 w/8.1s and currently no fuel tank, aluminum is being built as I typeand am replacing the deck with NidaCore panels and 2x2 FRP tube. If you go w/gas I'll be happy to share my fun. Best regards, Alan.

Thanks Alan,I'm replacing the diesels. The triple nickels run great but are too heavy and not enough power. I'm still in the planning stage and have been for a year. Part of the problem is all of the yards are selling to the developers so now we have condos everywhere. While the 35 is popular most of the info I find is on the 31 or 33. Can't find anyone in the area (Panama City, FL) who has repowered a 35.

I've spoken to few guys up here in the previous diesel - gas repower debate, they've used the Cummins 6btas - one had 250s and was about 22 knots - but he ran the guts out of it, one had 315s - was a couple of knots faster and I talked to a guy out of Lynnhaven who put the 370 Diamonds in and it cruised at 27 but he had to raise the salon deck to fit them. FWIW - the developers are buying up the marinas up here as well, fully expect 'dockumiums' and the demise of working marinas in the near future. Best regards, Alan.

WOW, I was doing my regular check of the site and just noticed this forum. David, Many Thanks in deed. I found bertram31.com shortly after I purchased my 1972 B35 in 2000. The advise from Bertram guys in general is the major reason I've been able to keep and enjoy my bertram. I will not forget the other forum's which have helped me and will continue to monitor and contribute to them. But, I'll definetly support this section of Bertram33.com. For those who don't know me, I've got a '72 Gas B35 with older crusader CH350 (454's). I've had the wiring redone and new panel as well as rebuilt my rudder shelves myself. I'm fortunate to be in Baltimore on the Chesapeake bay where the Marina's are still boat yards and you can do your own work. As a matter of fact, I've been looking in to the repower/new-tank issue pretty hard this past month. There's several discussions on the reman cummins here and on bertram31.com, you could do a search to see what they say. Another consideration would be rto motors. I hatteras guy in annapolis has his listed on boat diesel 3116's which aren't the best motor, but for a repower on a budget may be worth considering. The ethanol and gas-quality in general has me leaning towards diesels, but I don't have the $$ at this time. So I'll most likely do the tank this fall/winter. With a clean bottom and a full load I can manage a 20kt cruise at 3200 with my old crusaders, the down side is about 36gal/hr or .6 mpg. Alan, I think the new 8.1's are an awesome motor and would be my choice for gas repower. Could you share any speed/economy numbers with your boat. Regards, JohnD

I just got to know a B35 Owner a little, and he has the 6BTA, 355 HP version in his boat and he loves them. Mentioned a 24 knot cruise. I guess the clock is ticking on those cheap Cummings remans though. Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... d_Time.jpg[/img]

Whats the story on 3116's? 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!

John, I have mercs (like the tech)and the smartcraft shows .7 - .8 nmpg under a wide range of loads and from 3200 - ~18kts to 3500 ~22kts depending on tide and wind. GPH is identical to the 454s and I added 1.5" of pitch and still turn 200 over the top end (4700). Did have to remove the motor cover and insulation from the hatches to make 'em fit (3/4" clearance on the top, whew!) and added 5" exhaust. Let me know if you'd like more info. Alan.

Alan, Thanks for the info. If your getting .8nmpg that's not far off of diesel economy especially older diesels. BTW, looks like for '07 the electronic throttle control sync's and acts like cruise control...now that's cool. Yeah Sean, the 6bta's seem to be the ticket. The local Cummins engineer has them in his 80's B35 and the twinkle in his eyes when he talks about the boat says he's happy and not just the company line. I was trying to get a handle on how long they will be available, I just don't have $40k for motors at this time. Capt Ed, The cat 3116's I mentioned were from a hatteras owner who's taking advantage of the cummins reman's and repowering. I believe his was a demo boat for the motors from a local dealer and have had their share of problems with one or both being replaced. For the right price they would certainly get you several years of service if not more. Also, the 3116 is not as efficient as the cummins.

Thanks John. I have always liked cummins and volvo, never had cats. 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 have no first hand knoweldge of the 3116's, but was told by my (CAT) mechanic, and have also read that they had block manufacturing problems. There were a bunch of them made in France and those were not holding up, something wrong with the block castings, with the steel alloy itself. Remember reading about "soft blocks." Even after CAT corrected the problem the engine line's reputation was ruined. But apparently there are a lot of 3116's out there that are just fine. The 3126 was brought out to replace the market niche the 3116 had. Again, all of this is stuff I've read and heard, no first hand knowledge. But I do know that 3116's will reduce the value of your boat due to their bad reputation, same as the Cummings' 555 "triple nickel" engine will. John, if I had the money the reman 355 HP 6BTA's would be turning my props too, I think they would be a good fit for the B33 too. Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... d_Time.jpg[/img]

When I was boat shopping I looked online at a Hat with Cat 3116's, as well as a local boat with a single 3116. Hearing vague negative comments about these engines from almost every direction I turned I tried to research exactly what was the problem with them. From what I learned (I spoke with several engine mechanics, three different people from Cat corporate, and several knowledgeable boatyard manager/owners I know). The initial run of 3116's had blocks made in France. These had some metallurgical problems which resulted in many engine failures. Some individuals (Including Pascoe I believe) suspect that in addition there were problems with engine cooling. In any event, when Cat finally admitted to block quality problems with these "French blocks" also called "soft blocks" their position with the owners was pretty much "We know there are problems, but we don't know if your particular engine will have a problem, so just run it and if it fails we will deal with you about it". This was not accepted warmly by the owners, naturally. I know of a couple of boats with 3116's that are running fine today, and the general position in the industry today seems to be.. if your 3116 is running today it is OK, because if it had block problems it would have failed by now. This has a huge effect on the value of boats with 3116's in them, to be sure. Several Cat mechanics told me these were OK engines as long as you did not have French or soft block, and occasionally on the boatdiesel forum you will see posts from owners with several thousand hours on these engines. My personal opinion is that you could probably buy a boat with these engines at a lowball price and enjoy it, but when you wanted to sell it you would be stuck with something more used that knowledgeable buyers would probably want to avoid. Cat came out with the 3126 as a replacement for the 3116, but it appears that their position in the medium sized boat engine market was severely damaged, and I haven't seen many boats advertised with 3126's, nor do you see any new boats in this size range with Cats at all. I was able to have the serial numbers traced by Cat and learned who the original owners were, but Cat personnel were very vague as to if a particular engine had a soft block.. it was pretty clear to me I was getting a company line that they had been told to offer callers such as myself. My position? I would not buy a boat with these, unless it was at a great price and I could accept the fact that there was a good chance that I might have to repower. Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

quote:When I was boat shopping I looked online at a Hat with Cat... Was that Dr. Seuss's boat, the "Cat in the Hat"? [: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!