bertram31.com

Mack

Nice job Cam. I know you have been working on it for a LOOOONG time. Please bring her out to Annapolis so John F, John D and I can drool over her...at proper distance of course!

Mack

Do you happen to recall which product you used?

I am tired of replacing the exterior rubber for my front windows. Now thinking i just need to find a good UV resistant glaze.

Mack

Echoing John F’s and Mark’s comments. Good venue, good people, and of course the best boats ever built! Thanks again Roddy and Rob for their quarterbacking efforts - like hoarding cats at times. I am still amazed that we were able to get into somewhat of a formation in the river for the helicopter s...

Mack

Glad you all had a great time. I’ve got to make it back there. Also good to hear that it sounds like the new ownership has kept it running top notch!

Mack

Had something similar with one of my 454’s cutting out earlier this year. Everyone said electrical but it ended up being a weak fuel pump. Change your fuel filters to assure it is not a restricted flow issue. Swap the coils with the “working” motor to see if it is in fact electrical. If that doesn’t...

Mack

Just spoke to the folks at the marina at the Chesapeake Hyatt and booked my slip. They know we are coming. Two nights, 30 amp, and resort fees come to $174 for a 31. She mentioned that her manager is “considering” reducing the fees for us so it may end up being less. Interesting because in the early...

Mack

Sounds good. Glad to pitch in and help the effort. We could possibly host in Bay Ridge, though your marina might be better for creature comforts for those traveling from afar.

Mack

Thanks guys. That is what i thought.

Mack

I should know this after owning my B31 for 15 years now, however I am curious if our transomes are wood cored or not. A few of the screws holding my swim platform on are showing some rust, indicacting possible water intrusion.

Thoughts?

Mack

Can't do it again quite yet, but I can attest it is well worth it!

Mack

Sounds all too familiar. Swap the coil with the "good" motor. If that is not it, replace the fuel pump. We confirmed the fuel pump as the issue by disconnecting the fuel line and cranking the motor with a rag under the open fuel line. The flow was weak so the pump got replaced. No more issues. Good ...

Mack

A great refresher on the analysis of gas vs diesel!

502 (8.4L) sounds great but I am curious if anyone has repowered with 6.2 L using the "standard" shaft angle.

Mack

Tony- yes, that is also what my mechanic said. Not sure why it was only an issue when the engine was warm and at idle, however we are now running with a new fuel pump.

Mack

I think we have found a fix. Took awhile to replicate the issue but finally did last Friday. Started with the electrical side and all was well. Disconnected the fuel line from the carb and cranked it - virtually no fuel pumping out. Not sure why this was happening after running the motor at cruise t...

Mack

Peter- I am running 454's as well and have been going through the same thought process lately. We use the boat in the Chesapeake Bay and generally don't run more than 2 hours in one direction. I also tend to do a lot of drift fishing, which requires a lot of start/stop of the engines - not sure dies...

Mack

Thank you for all of the comments. My sense is that it is a fuel problem, however since I have already swapped the carborator I am going to hit the electrical side and eliminate the possibilities from there.

Stay tuned!

Mack

My apologies for the long post but I am at my wit's end on this one!!! Coming home on one engine is getting really old (thank you Capt. Patrick for the oversized rudders!!). Well, this is the second season I have had an issue with my port engine cutting out at idle. I've self diagnosed, had a mechan...

Mack

In the mid-Chesapeake area I have had very good results with micron/w biolux on the hull and struts with Pettit barnicle barrier coat on the shafts, props and rudders. It has a harder finish than the bottom paint and won’t get blasted off the rudders by the prop wash. Sprays on easily and two quick ...

Mack

That would be my buddy Reid. Quite the character. He is a perfectionist. Started in the auto body business and morphed to building boats. He built a few in the 27’ to 35’ range with a big Carolina flare but it was around the time of the recession so I don’t think he got a whole lot traction on the p...

Mack

Thanks Peter. We sanded some of the questiinable areas and followed up with a moisture meter. Most of the areas tested had some pretty high readings. One small spot chipped off down to glass. I am getting bids to do a soda blast during the next few weeks. Looks like what I thought would just be a se...

Mack

I used a few Clorox wipes before putting mine away for the season and it worked great.

Mack

After reading the updated procedure to post photos several times, I am not sure why mine is not visible. However, if you click on the word "image" and copy the address, then post to your browser, it comes up. I miss the old photobucket!

Mack

Now that the creeks around Annapolis are free of ice, I was able to get the boat hauled earlier this week. I plan to be back in for April rockfish season so just enough time to dry out and get a fresh coat of bottom paint on...I hope. I was looking at the photos from another member who recently blas...

Mack

I did the 2007 UVI at TSL and never laughed so hard in all my life. Great group of guys and excellent fishing. I committed to go only having met UV twice and having spoken to capt Pat a few times on the phone. An adventure I will never forget. I definitely need to go back!

Mack

Been using straight grade 40 wt Rotella in my vintage 80’s 454s for the last 14 seasons. Approx 1400 hrs on one engine, 1200 on the other. I use whatever regular gas there is available at the dock, which is usually 87 or 89 oct.

Mack

I had a chance to jump on the latest itteration of the 35 at the Annapolis boat show. It was basically a “fishy” version of the boat from last year. Outriggers, Hard top, and transom live well (rather than the folding seat!). Hull#8 I believe. Looking at some of the other boats at the show, yes, the...

Mack

Yes, many thanks to Bruce and the mean team for keeping the valuable resources of the sandbox alive and well.

Best boat ever built (and rebuilt)!

Mack

Boat has been hauled and wrapped for a little more than a month so I started to work on some of the nit pick projects a few weeks ago. Spent some time cleaning out the bilge - yes, after 12 years of ownership I still find random screws, nuts, washers, etc. Back by the transom I pulled out a few hand...

Mack

Just replaced the side window glass on my 31 for the second time last week. Bottom line is that it is major surgery to take apart the window frames. The forward sliders on my boat came out by lifting them up in the track and pulling from the bottom. Not enough clearance for the aft sliders so I had ...

Mack

Capt- I haven't been on the board much lately, but I have to say that I am shocked and disappointed to learn of your news. I don't know what to say other than "thank you" for creating this sandbox, sharing your wealth of knowledge, and bringing us all together. It was great getting to know you at th...

Mack

Love it. My girls are 10 and 12. Never fails that one of them needs to use the head even before we leave the dock. My vacu flush has been great up until now. Fresh water plumbed, holding tank in v berth and only ever smells from the exterior vent when the tank is almost full. Bowl is porcelain. We r...

Mack

I installed a vacu flush about 12 years ago in my sport fish. Pump is behind the fridge on the starboard side. Holding tank is in the v berth also on the stbd side. No smell.

Mack

Gents- At the request of my wife (and now supported by my daughters) I installed a vacu flush system in my 73 sport fish soon after purchase approx 12 years ago. It worked flawlessly for about 11 years. There is now a slight vacuum leak that none of the authorized dealers seem to be able to fix. Ann...

Mack

Sent mine earlier this week. A priceless investment!

Mack

Changed out my tranny and oil coolers when I purchased my B31 almost 12 years ago. I am running 454's and do about 125 hrs per season in the mid-Chesapeake Bay where the salinity is approx. one third of that of the ocean. All seems to be fine but obviously I don't want to wait until one of them fail...

Mack

Thanks for sharing. What hp cummins did you repower with?

Mack

I am not an original investor but would like to participate as well if there is a opportunity. Thanks guys

Mack

Ken- Glad to talk Annapolis area fishing, Bertrams, or days without snow anytime. Lots of good spots to fish not far from the mouth of the Severn River so no need to burn tens of gallons of $4 gas! I keep my 31 in Lake Ogleton and often duck out for a brief wetting of lines. I troll a few times in t...

Mack

John-
After you and I climbed aboard over the winter I thought she was done for, so I am not going to ask! Glad to see the boat back in the water and headed for better times!

Mack

I am running 454's in the mid-chesapeake as well. You need to change those risers.

As said in a previous post, you are pushing it after about 7 years. I wish I had picutures to post of the last set before they were changed out.

Mack

Been traveling all week and have only had limited access to the board so I am only now catching up. I am disappointed about the news but knew the day would arrive at some point given his recent health. Honored to have known, fished, drank, and laughed with UV, right down to his "crooked banker" stor...

Mack

I could be mistaken but I believe their is a B31 in Worton Creek Marina's "inventory" by that name.

Mack

Thanks for sharing UV. Ditto Randal's comment.

Got to do Disney with the kids this year, but I am going back to TSL some day!

Mack

Yep. I remember that story, which is probably why in the back of my mind I was initially concerned. Doug's boat was/is one of the heaviest B31s I've ever seen.

Bummer on the fly over. Saw the press release earlier today. Would rather have them get it right than see a 500 mph crash close up.

Mack

Thanks!

I was thinking scuppers as well.

Mack

Can't believe I am aksing this since I am now in the 8th season of owning the boat... I am taking a group out this week to watch the Blue Angels perform for the Naval Academy's commissioning week. The group has balooned to about 10 adults. I've had as many as 6 adults and 6 small children on the boa...

Mack

Yes, the instructions I have are similar to what John D posted, however the 3 positions of the "DIP" switches depends on how many pulses per revolution the engine it producing. I am told by mechanic that Merc 454 (and most) gas engines do not run a tach off the flywheel. It is done off the alternato...

Mack

Finishing up my dash panel/guage replacement project, however I am waiting for two backordered guages. In the meantime, we have installed the other guages and have done a massive "clean up" of wiring. Finally was able to run the engines the other day but realized that I hadn't yet set the tachs for ...

Mack

Now that you have met the deadline I set for you, get out there and fish it!!!!!

Mack

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I will give American a call. Perhaps I will start with the lightweight stuff and see how they do. Dug- did they do your outriggers? I have my original ones (not mounted on the boat) and have been considering restoring them at some point. Unfortunatley a few of the sw...

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