bertram31.com

ranjr13

Billy was the lucky one - to have you there for him, and for you to take such great care of his Bertram. Awesome job. Condolences to you and your family.

ranjr13

Carl, yes, works very well in dry sand, lol - also works well in other bottom types. The thing I really like is that it re-sets when wind/current changes very well. moguls2go - I need to build it out of cardboard, then wood, then to a local fabricator to build a base of probably 3/8" aluminum, to ho...

ranjr13

Pete - this is Dave's old boat. To warm you up, this is her on a mooring in Nantucket this past summer. Right now, she's in a heated building having in-depth maintenance on the Yanmars, then moving shortly to the paint building for a cockpit rejuvination with two-tone paint. If they finish before Fe...

ranjr13

Dug - our 31 came with both a Danforth and Aluminum Fortress mounted on the bow, with very little chain. We put a divider in the bow, now have two lines, both with a significant amount of 5/16" chain, and the two anchors mounted are pretty much lunch hooks - I keep a CQR for backup to primary, but p...

ranjr13

To all who are stewards of this site, of Bertram 31s, and Bertrams of all sizes, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year. 2017 presented challenges for several on this site - many with its various weather disasters, and the loss of loved ones. Pete, Tom - please accept my sincerest condolenc...

ranjr13

Pete - that was a 15,000 gvw trailer (3-5,000lb axles) and it handled it okay? And the gross weight for shipping (14,458) was boat and trailer? That's lighter than I thought, thanks.

ranjr13

Thanks, Tony - ours being a '64, but with small Yanmars, fully loaded, I'm guessing 13,000 based upon the input/specs/gut thus far. If I do go the trailer route so I can have the convenience of moving it home, moving it around when I want, I can easily then run it over a truck scale and post accurat...

ranjr13

Photobucket is no longer free to host pics for 3rd party sites - thus unless the poster has a subscription, the free hosting will not show up in links to other sites ie: Bertram31.com. Since the summer, I've switched anything new I post to my free Flickr account. Unfortunately old stuff on Photobuck...

ranjr13

Interesting, thanks - heavier than I thought. Thanks Carl.

ranjr13

The specs give a range of weight for Bertram 31s of 12,000 - 15,000lbs depending upon engines and gear. I believe this spec is for all models. Has anyone actually weighed a soft top express? Ours has old smaller tank (170), Yanmar 4lh-ste 230hp engines, glass decks that replaced original wood, teak ...

ranjr13

Bob Lico et al - anyone ever ballast way back to drop stern? Our soft-top express with 230hp Yanmars and only 170gal fuel sits barely in the water in the aft at rest - rides very good, but definitely not getting all the work out of the hull design with cabin creature comforts and extra glass mid shi...

ranjr13

Bruce - well done the past year. If you need anything be sure to let everyone know. Would love to see pics section perhaps boats for sale section updated sometime - happy to help if needed.

ranjr13

Sweet! He did a great job for us on our previous boat and would definitely use him again. Hope everything works out for you.

ranjr13

George Gallup did our 31 last year ( http://www.gallupyachtsurveying.com/ ). While he's based out of Mass., I saw him in CT a month ago and he regularly travels down this way. Second option for someone who we'd trust that has traveled down this way would be John McDonough ( http://www.marinesurveyor...

ranjr13

Dug - most likely diesel soot run-off from our fly-by this past Sunday. I goosed the pre-emmission Yanmar 4lh-ste's as we went by Groton Long Point and helped with the mosquito population in your area. I know you wanted to stay away from cleaner waxes, but ours was painted with Awlcraft 2000 in 1998...

ranjr13

Wayne's too busy starting his project, so here's the first couple pics...

ranjr13

Welcome and congrats! I documented our 31 when we got her last year on the USCG website. I used the HIN as the VIN, 31-394 I believe. After about 3 weeks they emailed back saying they wanted a copy of the previous registration. The HIN was on the previous registration. I'm not sure what the USCG wil...

ranjr13

Yes by boat, quick run over from Essex, circle around Shelter Island, gunk holed under Sag Harbor bridge through the cove and up to Brush Neck, then tour of all the cheap boats where Grumman's harborside building used to be. Saw a real nice Bahia Mar, no one around, but figured it was yours. You are...

ranjr13

We got a few things about a month ago - all good stuff, but as you said a bit pricey. You get what you pay for in this circumstance. Question - was out on Cuttyhunk Island a week and a half ago, and a guy was wearing a Bertram31.com shirt. We talked for a while, said he'd sold his 31 a few years ago...

ranjr13

Steve - I believe http://www.millscanvas.com/index.htm (Wm. J. Mills in Greenport) would work on a Bertram - they do all the original classic Boston Whaler canvas. We got a set for our 18' Outrage about 8 years ago - top quality stuff, something you'd be proud to see on a Bertram. As an aside, we sw...

ranjr13

I'd start by load testing batteries individually. If one has a bad cell, it will adversely affect the rest of that battery and any that it is connected to. Fully charge them, then completely disconnect them and test using a good load tester one by one. If they all fail, they all may be ready for the...

ranjr13

While not a 31, had to share a couple pics of an awesome 20. The photos don't do this justice, it's a mint 20 Bertram in Essex yesterday. Center console, single outdrive. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4278/35522364662_9162ae4c79.jpg https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4078/35690964645_066311b8c3.jpg

ranjr13

Very nice. I still remember sleeping on the engine hatch of my folks 25 cruising from Sag Harbor to Block Island and all the great times we had on that boat as a kid. Those kids will hopefully continue the traditions you introduce them to today. I know they did for me. Great pics!

ranjr13

Wow, best of luck getting things cleaned up. Thanks for someone keeping an eye on it and letting you know before it got any worse. Let's make it a wake up call, that if it could happen to Steve, it could happen to any of us. When's the last time we all checked/cleaned the strainers on our pumps, che...

ranjr13

Very nice! Great looking boat with original lines.

ranjr13

Most of the exterior projects done for this year - cabin front and corner windows replaced, window seals, side sliding glass tinted to match, lowered the radar on the gin pole a bit. Pics coming on interior to include new teak/holly floor, new cushions in v-berth/dinette/helms seats, new window in c...

ranjr13

Welcome! Even though it's not a soft top Express Cruiser, it's a great looking boat (lol), and will serve to give you many, many great times and keep your family safe. Enjoy and post pics of her in her new digs!

ranjr13

That link used to work. Here's another that I just tried and took me to the correct place...
http://shopbertram.online/

ranjr13

Good info. A few additional points/thoughts. A high water alarm aft so you get early warning when you're running if the likely spot water is to accumulate becomes flooded, long before you notice performance deteriorating or water over floor-boards, an activity monitor for bilge pump in forward area ...

ranjr13

Moguls2go - holding you personally responsible for my blowing my weekly allowance with an order to the Bertram Store....lol

Thank you for posting the link.

ranjr13

USCG Documentation # gets affixed in a permanent method that's fairly easy to find.

ranjr13

We used http://www.multifab.com/ this winter to make a set of corners and new flats for our 31. They need to copy to be 100% sure of fit, which would involve shipping yours then their shipping new stuff. However, they are holding my old corners in case anything went wrong with our installation and n...

ranjr13

2nd Frank's recommendation - we have a set. Blow them out with a garden hose every so often so they swing easily, and be done with it.

ranjr13

Rolls are good - replaced existing batts in our last boat (32' BHM) with a set. But, I would strongly recommend you not go to a yard, but to a commercial independent battery store, someone who sells to trucking companies, heavy equipment users etc. In our 31, we have 4 - 6v golf cart batts, and a si...

ranjr13

Bruce - he's no doubt most proud of you and the efforts you've put in to maintain and improve the site - sort of like stewardship of a fine Bertram...Thank you for all you're doing.

ranjr13

The exact line where our bottom paint starts is the point where the previous bottom paint was blasted to gel coat, then barrier coated, and bottom paint applied. The exact point above that is where the top sides paint starts. There is no Awlcraft 2000 under any of our bottom paint.

ranjr13

Yannis - our 31 sits heavy, I believe how the hulls were designed, so the natural chine is below the water all the time. Our bottom paint is a bit higher. It may not have the sleek look when you see the boat out of the water, but it is more functional, more protection. To keep a bit of space between...

ranjr13

Yannis - our 31 is Awlcraft 2000 to the waterline. Right at that line and continuing down, it was blasted last year, barrier coated, 1 marker coat, and 3 regular coats of bottom paint, so the topside paint stops right at the barrier coat line. Same Awlcraft 2000 is on cabin and decks, been on the bo...

ranjr13

Bruce - our Yanmar dealer says they have no adjustment, but the friction device may just be worn out. I do have a call into the company to see if there is anything replaceable to get more friction back in them. I will inquire about a more modern version, which might have a different friction device....

ranjr13

Followup question on an old thread. In our Soft-top Express, there isn't enough room to do separate clutch/throttle controls, so when the Yanmars were installed many moons ago, a control (present day by Seastar MT-3) was installed. Along the way, cable clamps were installed no doubt to reduce downwa...

ranjr13

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiamDST ... e=youtu.be

That's the way to recycle an old hull - very nice...

ranjr13

Ours is also an express. Luckily the upper corners were done by the previous owner not long ago. Best of luck if you tackle them.

ranjr13

Tony - bedded with Sudbury Elastomeric Marine Sealant clear. Good stuff and it can be sanded/painted along with frames. While the corners don't have any of the bedding exposed, the flat front opening windows do, so that will all be gray/silver along with the frames. http://www.defender.com/product.j...

ranjr13

After reading this thread of posts, and others in the sandbox, we put replacing cabin front corner and opening windows as one of many projects this winter. The side sliding windows are in good shape, so will get cleaned up and tinted. The front corner windows were crazed, scratched, faded and don't ...

ranjr13

Frank, great news, thank you for sharing. Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and many, many more wonderful times on Phoenix.

ranjr13

Let me say that I have nothing but respect for the regular contributors on this site. The experience and wealth of knowledge is remarkable and I feel fortunate to have been welcomed into the group. That said, I hate to lose an opportunity to share knowledge when someone is asking a question. You hav...

ranjr13

David - welcome. It's always nice to know another Bertram has found a home to restore it and give it another great life. Ours made it home to our barn 2 weeks ago and is already going through it's first full off-season with us and is getting it's interior restored. As for fuel consumption, several f...

ranjr13

Nicely done, a true friend....

ranjr13

Who did your windows? I have one outlet for molding the front corners, but would be interested in one place to do everything as you suggest so it's all the same level of tint.

ranjr13

Nice, Carl, thank you. Are your cabin windows all dark tint, including the corners? New corners and re-sealing of all other windows, and dark tinting of all of them is also on the list for this off-season, including painting frames, and re-sealing frames to cabin, and glass to frames.

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