bertram31.com

Pete Fallon

Incoming,
Good to talk to you earlier this evening, Brian Stetler's cell is
561-3127544 he is in Jupiter.
Good luck with finding the right boat.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Faithful, Has anyone been in contact with John Cranston his home is in Spring Texas (Heavy Rain) and keeps the boat in Freeport. Both areas got hit hard with rain and Freeport/Rockport got hammered by wind. A video that was posted showed a couple of 31's that seemed to be intact while everything aro...

Pete Fallon

21b, I would recommend a Galley Maid Electric flush, it fits about the same space as the old unit, has a built in mascreator pump and has stainless steel impeller blades, that will chop bait if needed. The holding tank can go anywhere and with a Y valve and a deck pump out fitting your legal for a T...

Pete Fallon

Faithful, I have been meaning to post this new rule about discharging of trash and food waste for quit a while. As of 2013 there is a change in what you can throw overboard and a new placard has to be on the vessel displayed in a visible place on your boat. Basically you can't throw anything into th...

Pete Fallon

saburke, The last time I was on the boat in the yard in Rivera Beach was 12 years ago in 2005. There was not any drain plugs on the boat. The bilge pumps were the only way to get the water out of the boat back then. The step down between the engines was rotted away then. By the looks of the pictures...

Pete Fallon

Dug,
I used Star Brite Marine Polish with Teflon for all the black streaks. I found that after the new paint sets up for a year or so you can use acetone to get rid of the black stuff. Good luck.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Faithful, The 350K asking price is what it would cost to build a new 31 with diesels. Buddy Boy was almost $300K back in the early 2000's she sold back in 2009 or 10 for 150K then again this year for 150K . As a surveyor I have to keep up with what the prices are doing with boats. Like Bruce said th...

Pete Fallon

Faithful, A fellow( Ed A) from PR called me last night, he's trying to figure out the Hull number on a 1965 -1966 20' Sportsman with a repowered Volvo I/O. The only numbers that he could find is 203. There should be 3 or 4 numbers after the 203. I had a 1968 203-1128 sportsman anyone else have any i...

Pete Fallon

saburke17, The Palm Beach Lady was next to my boat for 3 years at South Florida Yachts Yard in Riveria Beach. At the time Augie had lost interest in her. Capt Pat and I used mine and that boat to measure the difference in the changes of the lifting strake pattern that have changed over the years. Th...

Pete Fallon

saburke17, The Palm Beach Lady was a 31 that was totally redone in Long Island back in the early 90's. It was owned by a guy that did golf cart paths for a living. The boat sat in South Florida Yachts yard in Riviera Beach for a long time, open to the elements and just rotted away over the years It ...

Pete Fallon

Dave, Why don't you make your own cockpit sole. I did mine with 3/4" foam core with glass (1708 &1808) over. Cut the hatches out with a router and used medium grit non skid sand sprayed into the white gel coat finish. Mine was 3 pieces with stiffeners on the bottom. I had access to a glass top 5x10 ...

Pete Fallon

Wayne, The HIN numbers that you want to use are the original Bertram number 315-1230. Usually found under the Port V berth up high where plywood meets the oak frame or under the cockpit sole midship's up high near the cockpit transom joint. Federal law requiring 12 digit number to be stamped into th...

Pete Fallon

Steve,
Could you send me some pictures of the engines with boxes open, cockpit: under the hatches, in the cockpit and cabin. Also a picture of the boat from the side and transom. Give me a call at 561-310-7179 when you get time.
Pete

Pete Fallon

THudd,
Please don't turn this one into a planter or a place where your dog pisses on. Nice looking boat.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Dave,
Kind of looks like a early Riveria or a Anna Capi either that or a custom 38' Bertram FBC
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

JohnV8r, I replaced my strainers in 2010 with slotted strainers on the hull bottom, it freed up the interior space between the engines for additional storage and an extra group 31 battery on a shelf out of the bilge. Also your not tempted to step on the top of each strainer when the engine boxes and...

Pete Fallon

funandgames,
Don't waste your time trying to repair the old cable steering bite the bullet and go with a closed hydraulic system.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

JohnV8r, Another method is to use a bead blaster or soda blast them, just be careful not to etch the stainless steel ball on the inside of the sea cocks, also check the condition of the rods and nuts that hold the sea strainers together, they might be badly worn from years of use. New rubber gaskets...

Pete Fallon

Tooeez et al, No matter which way you go every 28 and 31 Bertram should be equipped with at least 3 (Three) 2000 or larger pumps and auto switches for each pump. I prefer Johnson pumps and Ultima auto switches and a light on the helm area so you can see when the pump activates. Also a high water ala...

Pete Fallon

JohnV8er, When I repowered my 31 express back in 1997 I put in 454 Throttle bodied fuel injection with 3" extension risers on the middle of the manifolds. I had 5" exhaust outlets at the transom with 18" Vernay FRP mufflers under the cockpit sole( straight back from the Y pipe that was on the center...

Pete Fallon

Thesaltysato, Like Bruce said you should be able to find a 4" chromed plate at your local large plumbing supply house. That's where I found one for my fighting chair base. It might not be chromed brass but they are cheap enough to get a couple when the 1st one starts to corrode. I don't know if your...

Pete Fallon

Alscars55, The bolted on fly bridge makes sense because the original hull configuration was a sedan model (311), no Fly bridge . Someone either got ahold of the mold for the fly bridge or maybe it was added before the molds were destroyed in the Carl Herndon era at Bertram in the late 80's. I looked...

Pete Fallon

JohnV 8r, Everyone has an opinion about foaming the tank in place. What ever route you take just make sure that there are heavy duty rubber strips for the tank to sit on and if you do foam in make sure that you use a 4 pound density foam, the 2 pound stuff is cheaper and will act like a sponge trapp...

Pete Fallon

JohnV8er,
Go for it, the more fuel the better, it's not enough to effect the performance of the boat, it might make it a little harder to get to the aft bilge pump but that's about all that's in that space on most 31's.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Johnv8r, The bulkheads are 2 piece with a board that runs across where the engine box front rests on. Unscrew the board, measure and scribe the old plywood board at the bottom to get a good fit. I did the port side of my 31 years ago not a hard job, I used marine plywood covered in 2 layers of glass...

Pete Fallon

John, You can cut the hatches out with a router with a round over bit before any glass work, or a jig saw, I used a router with the round over bit so I didn't have any sharp edges to contend with and it saved a step of rounding the foam over. Just remember to do the hatches last after you have done ...

Pete Fallon

John, The original factory Bertram deck made of Marine plywood had 2 metal strips running fore and aft and one across the transom. After removing the metal strips there are 4 to 5 slotted bronze wood screws holding the plywood sole in place, also the hinges for the engine boxes should be removed. Yo...

Pete Fallon

Tony,
I haven't seem Russ for 5 years the last time I saw him he was working at Hinkley in Stuart. I knew he had some problems but I didn't know he had sold the boat.
Pete

Pete Fallon

Steve, That is Russ Pechellia's 31 he used to run the 25 web site. I surveyed that boat about 10 years ago, the Perkin's are borderline HP for a 31. The boat needs to be re-wired, repowered and a lot of TCL. Russ made the swim platform himself, I think it's made from Starboard he did a nice job on i...

Pete Fallon

Dan, Is that Paul Haggett's 31 that has the Crusader 8.1 L V-8's for sale . Those motors will last you for ever as long as you keep the oil clean and watch the exhaust and manifold gaskets. If I can remember correctly they were FWC with Stainless steel risers and manifolds. Paul had another surveyor...

Pete Fallon

John, I used 1" PVC foam Core by Michigan Composites in 80lb density when I built my 3 piece decks and hatches, ( overkill on thickness but I wanted it to be bulletproof). I used 4 battens on the port and starboard pieces spaced evenly to reduce flex and spongy feel when walking on the deck , with 1...

Pete Fallon

Yannis, The pull up cleats without the spring is what you want. Either Accorn or GEM makes a good stainless steel cleat, I used them when we built the Legend 34 back in the early 2000's. The cleat with the spring only lasts a few years before the salt eats the spring away. Granted they are expensive...

Pete Fallon

JohnF,
Even with only one hand your work looks better than some of the workmanship I've seen on some supposedly high end boats. Hope everything works out well with your thumb, I am still trying to get my knee fixed correctly.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Dug, You just had some canvas work done on your boat. Are you happy with the way the canvas came out?. I have a friend that is looking to get some side curtains for his 42 Post fly bridge enclosure redone, he is willing to ship the old side curtains to your guy for the pattern. His boat is up in the...

Pete Fallon

Preston, It looks like the stray current corrosion has attacked the threads on the bronze nut that continues back to the shaft log tube. The nut is attached to a threaded nipple under the short piece of hose with the clamps on it. I hate to tell you but that entire shaft log, packing gland area need...

Pete Fallon

Faithful, Here in Boston the local ABC channel has been advertising a travel to Bermuda 30 second clip that shows a 31 FBC docked in front of a pastel group of houses. Looks like it might be at St Georges Harbor. Great shot of one of our faithful's prize possessions. White topsides, red boot stripe ...

Pete Fallon

Preston, The original Bertram OEM parts were made by either earliest modes were Wilcox Chittenden in the 1960's after that was Perko or Groco then Buck Algonquin, Shaft tubes were bronze that were thru bolted with # 8 bolts, nut sizes varied from 1-1/4" up to 1-1/2" Flax packing glands were the norm...

Pete Fallon

Preston: Sorry to hear about your boat sinking during the hurricane. I suggest that you replace all the 12 volt and 110 volt wiring in the boat along with all the breakers at the panel. The boat was down for 6 days with the 12 volt system cooking everything metal in the boat. As I tell others the 11...

Pete Fallon

Preston, To my eye it looks like you have some stray current corrosion problems, anytime I see shiny props or shades of pink or pink spots on the bronze, I start to suspect stray current. I would have a marine electrician check you slip area for signs of 110 volt leakage around your slip or from you...

Pete Fallon

MOE:
Say hello to the Clayton at Whiticar Boat Works. They do good work in that yard. Whiticar, E&H, AJ Boatworks are all my old stomping grounds in Stuart for 10 years. Good choice of motors. Brian will do a good job for you. I will be in New England all of this winter.
Pete

Pete Fallon

David, Welcome to the sandbox, there are no such things as a stupid question. I wish the board was around 39 years ago when I first bought my 1961 Express, it would have saved me a lot of money and aggravation for the first 10 years. Your choice of 240 Yanmars is a perfect fit for your boat. I would...

Pete Fallon

MOE: \I have referred all my survey work in Florida to Brian Stetler in Jupiter. His tel is 561-312-7544 e-mail is www.amarine surveyor.com. He is very good. I will not be back in Florida for a while due to issues with my knee and my wife's health, have to stay near major hospitals in Boston. I migh...

Pete Fallon

BOB and Carl, I had my windows (all 4 curved panels done in Boston at Multi Fab) I don't know if they are still in business, they were located on Hallet St in Dorchester section of Boston. They were about $800.00 back in 1994 or1995. They were made of Plexi Glass and were in the boat for another 19 ...

Pete Fallon

Bruce,
Thanks for taking care of Capt. Patrick's stuff, I helped him try and sort through the stuff he had at the Riviera Beach Shop before he moved to Texas that was no small fete and it was a lot smaller pile. Give me a call when you get a chance. Thanks again for all you have done.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Faithful, I used to use Surrette batteries that were made in Salem Ma, best battery you could find anywhere, one of there group 31 Marine batteries weighed over 70 pounds. Back in the 70's & early 80's I ran 3 group 31's in my 1961 express that at that time were running 440 Chryslers. They lasted fo...

Pete Fallon

John, I ran 3-group 31 batteries in my 31 Express . 1 for each engine and 1 for the house battery. I had big block gassers for years, make sure your alternators are good, battery terminals are clean and tight and your battery charger is working properly. If you have diesels the 8D's are the way to g...

Pete Fallon

Priceless,
Why don't you invest in a good sea anchor and save $30,000. They are now putting them the big center consoles under the leaning post/rocket launchers they are running around 30K right now.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Carl, Dug and Yannis, I grew up as a baby boomer , the first car I owned was a 1965 Mustang Convertible 6 cyl 4 speed, not a muscle car, but I saved my dollars for a 1968 Road Runner 426 Hemi Hurth 4 speed 411 rear end right off the show room floor in May of 1968 for $3,300., the Plymouth dealer too...

Pete Fallon

Steve & Dug,
Check out the Ocean Link web site they have a 230 gallon Roto Molded fuel tank for under 2K with fittings and returns. I would check them out they are at the Hinkley Complex in Portsmith RI. It's worth a look.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Steve, I have found that in Florida an uncoated aluminum fuel tank lasts for 12 years, a tank coated with coal tar epoxy around 18 years. I have seen aluminum tanks in the New England area last for over 20 years, not as much humidity in the NE. Check with Glass Tech in Miami they had a FRP fuel tank...

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