bertram31.com

Regarding the BMW 31 - I actually was looking hard at that boat to the point that I had a survey completed on her. The cross bracing for the engine stringers that was put in place with the BMWs was almost completely rotted through . If you end up looking at her afterall, make sure you get it surveye...

On the Bahia Mar's, I don't see a seam in the cockpit to separate it from the decking by the helm. Is it all one gigantic deck? What's the best way to approach removing the decking for a fuel tank replacement on a Bahia? Convert it into a 3 piece? The decking is one single piece and appears to be wo...

Just an FYI but this is just a chain mail going around that is not accurate, quite the opposite in fact. More information here: http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/cell411.asp

That's what I'm starting to realize.

Thanks guys!

sim, Raybo, Tony, and eveyone else: Thanks all for the information. Very useful to me. I am approaching it with the intent to replace the tank. Curious, since it's a Bahia Mar model when they remove the cockpit to replace the tank does that mean the whole cockpit as in up to the helm? I did not see ...

Just an update for anyone else who may be looking into this as well: - American Tanks does make modular tanks, but only for larger displacement style boats. They still recommended exactly what Capt Pat and Bruce do for the 31's: cut the deck and drop it in. The only thing different they (Amer. Tank)...

Hi Capt Pat - I'm starting to see that, even though American Tank LLC specifically states they can avoid taking the deck off by making tanks that are small enough to slip in and then plumbed together with maybe loosing some fuel capacity. I know a few folks that have used them for larger trawler typ...

Hi Bruce - I hear you, I'm trying to find ways to make it cheaper than ripping the deck out, etc... I don't have the luxury of time to do it all myself so have to rely on a shipyard doing the work.

Thanks for the response!

John

Tony and Pete: Thanks for the information. That confirms my suspicion - it does seem to be original (fuel lines too). I did not see a tag, painted over or otherwise, but I did see a location where a square tag may have been removed from (paint looked different if you know what I mean) near the fuel ...

There's a company called American Tanks in San Diego that makes modular fuel tanks and their claim to fame is being able to tear up your old tank and replace it with smaller ones that they plumb together and can fit into your boat without tearing your decking up. You may lose some tank capacity from...

Do the original 31 fuel tanks have fiberglass lift rings built into them on the aft end? It's a gas powered 1977 bahia mar. Trying to determine if the fuel tank is original or not - it's 222 gallons, fuel pickup for engines is in the rear of the tank, has a fiberglass "twist" on the rear top edge th...

Gert's post got me thinking about this: I'm taking a look at a 1977 bahia mar this weekend and my major concern with it is the fuel tank (gas engines). She's been in California for a long period of time (over 10 years) so she has been exposed to ethanol in the fuel - however, the current owner (purc...

Thanks for the information. I've been looking at it knowing that the additional expense of changing the tank would be required - was just hoping it wouldn't be. UV - the current owner painted over the tank (bilgkote is my guess due to everything else in the bilge area being the same color) when they...

Hi - regarding your comment on running on the original fiberglass tank of your '72, does the fuel you use contain ethanol? Is that the year that Bertram changed the resins to ones that turn out are "ethanol safe"? I'm looking at a '77 bahia mar out this way (reportedly with 222 gal tank) but I am un...

Looking at a 31 out here in so cal with what the seller states are Cummins 408 (185hp) engines. I've searched boat diesel, the web in general, here, and nothing seems to indicate that the model number is accurate. The nearest I've been able to identify these, is possibly as cummins 504's (they appea...

Rocky and Wayne - Thanks for the for the info!

Hi everyone - A quick question and an opinion request. As the title suggests, my question is regarding if anyone knows of a fuel tank fabricator in the southern california area or of a boat yard that does top notch work that can handle it. In essence I never purchased the bertram 31 with BMW diesels...

Question: For gassers with fiberglass tanks, has anyone ever thought of (probably would be my guess) and/or explored using fuel bladders inside of the fiberglass tank body? What I'm talking about it cutting the top of the fiberglass tank off and put a plastic, collapsible, fuel bladder inside it (fo...

It's a 38 supposedly. spoke with the current owner. used to be his grandpa's. Doesn't sound like the grandson is much of a boat person.

anyone in the area that can swing by and take a lookee? :-D

John

Thanks everyone for your input. I think I'll take a pass on this one unless. As always, value your input.

Capt Bone - that covers it exactly.. frustration. lol

Thanks again guys.

John

That is odd - 150's vs 190's. Wonder if they were done at the same yard. The name on this one is "Notorious" and they are definetly 6 cyl. engines. Really strange. Found out that the there are three tanks. Two saddle tanks from the original engines (currently disconnected) and a central tank which i...

That's main issue - trying to figure out what it's actually worth. It's listed at 54, but if I decide to go through with it I would offer 38, 40 at most.

I guess it's the overall look and cleanliness of the outside - and the fact that it's the only one for sale on the west coast (california) that I've found that isn't a project boat. :wink:

Thanks for the info

thanks for the input again guys. What sort of money would you guys offer for it with those odd engines? I'm not making an offer on it right now, just trying to get a sense of value from folks who know the boats inside and out. The D190s have about 1200 hours on them (installed 1991, the 1985 info wa...

Sorry to revive this old thread, but this bertram just came back on the market recently and I was able to take a first hand close look at it and would like some opinions from the knowledgable folks on the board. The engines are BMW/Mercruisers diesels circa 1985 with 190HP, installed during diesel r...

Wow - that's a tremendous amount of information. Thanks everyone! If you don't mind me asking - how long was the waiting list for a mooring? The dues for those were yearly, is that still the case? Heard the #1 on the waiting list finally got his mooring, he had been on the list since 1967! :shock: I...

Hi Wayne - thanks for the offer. What's the range in costs? Dana Point has lower slip fees (not by much though), but we usually leave from Newport due to the ramps being empty at the early hours and plenty of parking. Wondering if just getting a mooring and some solar panels would be cheaper in the ...

Got some more info from the broker - supposed to be D180's. However, I can't find anything on those, looks like Google finally met it's match. From what the broker said the current owner has a cross-reference list to Mercruiser 4-liter diesels that he uses for replacement parts. Apperantly mercruise...

Any experiences with them? This 1962 B31 is powered with them. Curious since they are not a commonly used engine in my (limited) knowledge. Here's a few pics of the engine, the B31, the cockpit, the cabin. http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt38/far_side_photos/3120Bertram20Newport20Beach20BMW20D.jp...

Carl, Walter and Patrick - thank you for the welcome. =) I've been reading quite a few posts here today, very helpful site (no work getting done though hah). For the engines, I'm almost sure I'll be going diesel engines. If anything for the longevity and increased range, but also due to the "boom" f...

Hi there - my names John, just joined the site out of my interest in the classic Bertrams. Family and I reside in Southern California and use our current boat only in the Pacific. And that's what lead me on my wild web searches for classic boats. Our current craft is a newer Bayliner 210 cuddy (litt...