Paul and Carol Gozewski's "Capy" - 31 Bertram hull #535
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Our 31 is very unique. She has steam bent solid teak framed bulkhead of glass! This gives a very open feel to the otherwise cramped cabin. As you can see by the photo's, all surfaces have been sanded to bare fiberglass and re-gelcoated with Cook's Armour-All gelcoat. She is hull # 535, 34th production hull pulled from the mold, the first one went to Richard Bertram.
Paul and Carol Gozewski
Haverhill , MA
A Belated Christening...
Late August 1994, I had decided to take a week off from fish'n and do a cruise around Cape Cod to visit some friends. The first part of the trip was uneventful, light rain gave way to sunshine, we went through the canal and Woods Hole, Hyannis and Osterville. Beaches, picnics, great restaurants and nightclubs consumed our vacation. On the way back home my wife and I decided to stop for ONE night in Provinceton. As soon as we got our slip a nor'easter was forecast with winds to 50 mph!We had been on the boat for 7 days at this point and decided to head out the next morning regardless. After a rocky night we headed out at first light. unknown to the forecasters, winds had MODERATED to 55 mph, but being in the "lee" of P-town, it felt much, much calmer.
12 miles across Mass Bay we had our first taste of rough water, as a large wave broke over our heads directly onto the rear of the fly-bridge. Our speed at this point was 18 knts, and I reduced to 16 after the wave broke. About 5 minutes later we had a repeat wave, and then again, and again.
Our "new" 1961 31 Bertram, (we purchased her in the fall of 1993 from the original owner), shrugged off each inundation and continued on our heading of 348 degrees without the slightest hesitation. She is powered by DD6V53's, and they didn't miss a beat. The bilge pumps were earning their keep, and I was extremely confident of reaching Gloucester in an hour and a half... Until I saw the terror in my wife's salt drenched face. She politely asked if perhaps it might make more sense to turn around and stay another night in P-town. "As soon as I get a lull in the oncoming breakers, I will try."I replied, as I was worried of catching a 14 ft. breaker broadside and capsizing.
My lull came, one engine in reverse one ahead, and full throttle brought us about in an instant. the following sea back to P-town put us at ease. We returned to the marina to a cheer from our dockmates from the night before. I poured us both a long drink and we settled down for a two night stay in P-town.
The marina owner, a Bertram 31 fan, said: "I didn't think you would come back... Until I got a call from Boston that all ferries for the day had been canceled."
Paul Gozewski
PS: Don't forget to check our Bertram 31 Block Island Rendezvous 2000 !!
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