Bertram33 User Forum

Hello, After having a dozen or so family and friends working for Bertram over the last 30 years i'm finally going to buy one of my own. I'm looking at a Bertram for sale locally and i have a few questions i hope you can help with.. 1) She has gas engines and I would like to know if anyone has an idea of consumtion rates. (i know its bad but just how bad) 2) With the idea of re-powering eventually what's a good estimate of the conversion to diesel? 3) She is in FANTASTIC shape having spent all of her life in freshewater. With a full tower she looks awsome! What would be a fair price for this vessel, owner says 100k (but negotiable)I'd like to make an offer with the idea that I will re-power in about 1 year. 4) Any other suggestions would be apprecitated... I'm going to get some of my family here eventually but I'd like to get some other opinions from folks that own them not just build them. Thanks, -Al [:)]

Welcome Al, use the search button to look up tons of info on your questions. The quick version is, fuel burn is around 32-36 gallons an hour at 17-19 knot cruise. Repower can cost anywhere from 60,000 to over 100,000 depending on engines, installer, add ons... I just bought a 1989 FBC(bank owned) for less then 60,000, my first Bert was a 1988 and I paid 81,000 for it 4 years ago. The market has changed somewhat, ethanol fears are effecting the sale prices. I would start low with the asking price and take it from there. Most boats that age are selling from 70,000 to 80,000 right now from what I hear. More of these guys will chime in and correct me if I'm wrong on anything, it's a smart move to buy a Bertram, I still feel they are very undervalued for what you get. They are a simple, practical, heavy duty, bulletproof, classic boat that will never go out of style. Plus, this site can help you solve any issues that may arise, the boys on here are top notch and more than willing to help each other out. Good luck! Bill 1988 33 FBC Ipswich, Ma. > ~------- [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... a_Rose.jpg[/img]

Thanks for taking the time to write in! Hopefully I can get her for a fair price..

Welcome aboard Al. Bill is correct, as a question and many will chime in to help. Doug should weight in, as he is the keeper of the records for what the ask/bid price is on most B33's. Al, is that boat in Marathon? How about Doug it, do you know the boat?

Amedina... There are several guys here who have repowered and you most likely will be getting some answers from them.. thay have current prices since their projects were done in the last two years or so. My suggestion on pricing is to look in the "www.yachtworld.com" web site for similar boats and see what is the asking price.. this should get you started as to what is being asked by sellers/brokers around the country. Remember these are ASKING prices.. and selling prices are lower. Also.. just because the boat you are interested in was kept in fresh water does not make it a guaranteed gem.. remember decks, and especially in Bertram 33's, cabin aft bulkheads, rot from rainwater, not the water the boat runs in, so be careful and have the boat surveyed to be sure. Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

Thanks! The boat is from Marathon (do you know this boat) and I saw it at the marina in KW yesterday. Looks clean, and the person selling her seems anxious to sell.

My dad's first thought is 60k would make it worth while... He's an old inspector from Bertram back in the 70's and 80's... I will get it surveyed anyhow...

Amedina... Here is some recent Bertram 33 sales info on gas boats sold in FL in the past year.. YEAR ASKED -- SOLD WHEN SOLD ON MARKET 1987 ??? 65K 56K 11/06 2 months 1989 Conv 99K 85K 09/06 8 months 1988 Conv 69.9K 69K 06/06 unsure 1977 Conv 37K 35K 11/06 1 month 1986 SF 65K 50K 01/06 18 months (Sorry, I see that when I post this info the formatting I used to space out the columns goes away) Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

Amedina, here is a direct link to the boat listings section of the main bertram33 website. Here you will find a link to all Bertram 33 for sale on YachtWorld. Boat Listings

Thank you!

Al, That boat was for sale back in the winter of 2003-2004 when I found my '90 in Jacksonville, FL. The asking price at that time for the boat in Marathon was $119K. Mine had an asking price of $89K with 500hrs on Mercs (no tower). The Marathon boat, as I recall, had high hours and with a full tower, fuel economy will suffer. I repowered with Yanmar 370's last year and am very happy I did! Some added features that came out in the 1990 model year are the built in cabinets on the dashboard, a separate stall shower, aluminum rails vs. stainless, some slight interior changes with the oak (solid doors covering electrical panels vs. plexiglass) and in 1988 they changed the bridge slightly. I wonder how much roll in open seas you'd get up on that tower? Good luck and good negotiating! Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Guilford, CT (Homeport) Kinnelon, NJ (Home)

That's funny, my dad said the same thing after i told him it has a full tower. Huh, i'm going to KW harbor tomorrow and I'll let you know the name I'd like to know if it is the same boat.

Al, 100K is a bit steep, unless it has new power, and obviously it does not. I have a 1989 that I'm repowering next month with the 8.1 Crusadar. If I had to sell it the day after, I'd say $100K would be about the top dollar I could get for it. I have the half tower and just about all new everything. I'd try for $65-$75K Gene Dugan Boca Raton, Fl. "Nauti Marie" 1989 33 FBC

As for the roll question, we had a 79' 33 SF with a full Rybo tower, it was tall, and that boat really rolled, worse than the 87' 33 SF we owned later. It was also very slow (gas motors) and horrible to run in a following sea! If 33's have one draw back its that they roll, they are not the greatest boat to drift fish or anchor in any kind of sea. Remember that the FBC's are a bit taller than the SF model. That said, there was not a weather condtion, below a hurricane, that I have run a 33 in and not felt safe, they will get you home. John

Al, I can't find the boat on yw, but I seem to remember it. $100K seems steep, even with the tower, for something you're looking to re-power in a year. Since its a freshwater boat, where was it located? How many hours? What other kind of equipment? Overall your making an outstanding choice. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]