bertram31.com

Harry Babb

Electricity travels on the surface of a wire. Welding cable has thousands of strands therefore it has more total surface area of wire than the same size industrial or residential wire. Welding cable can carry extremely high amperage loads. The downside is that its not "tinned" and subject to corrosi...

Harry Babb

You can install a shaft log that will accommodate a 1-1/2" shaft and then run a 1-3/8" diameter shaft. The outside of the fiberglass shaft log and the outside diameter of the packing gland must be the same size for the hose to fit and tigthen up properly. I do not know the diameter of the hose conne...

Harry Babb

I heard this on the news last night then found it on the internet this morning. The Gulf gets a little more strange every day. I have had sharks, big sharks, come up to my boat in our chum line but never actually attack our boat. FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. -- A crew aboard a shrimping boat were rescued ...

Harry Babb

Thanks John, Generally painting is not my cup of tea but I am determined to give it a try even if I have to do several "Do Overs" Tell me...........what type of spray gun do you use for spraying the Awlgrip. I have a 2001 Binks and a 3 gallon pressure pot. Mostly I spray small things and equipment a...

Harry Babb

So what did you end up doing to get the "Job Done" Mike. We all jumped in to help you...........speaking at least for myself, don't leave us hanging. How did you make the repair. If you found the adapter fitting would you share your source???
Harry Babb

Harry Babb

The tap drill size for 1/8" NPT is 11/32".
Mike, we have several pieces of foreign equipment. When we have to change hydraulic hoses I always retap the fittings or manifolds to accept english pipe threads. It works really well.
Harry Babb

Harry Babb

Mike, If the outside of the male threads measures 8MM (.315") the nearest pipe size is 1/8" npt. I believe that you can just drill & tap the valve body to accept a 1/8" pipe fitting. If that will work I can give you the drill size. 1/8" Pipe outside diameter is .405"...........just a little over 10 ...

Harry Babb

That looks like a high class redneck table............notice the 4 wine bottles in the cylinders............here in Alabama that same table would be accented with Budweiser cans.
Harry Babb

Harry Babb

Thats the spirit Dave,
We are all pulling for you with our prayers and thoughts
Harry Babb

Harry Babb

Vince I personally like Bluewater Ship Stores, partly because they have a well stocked store about 20 miles from my boat. They stock the fiber glass tube and will cut exactly the length that you need. They are also available via the internet. I agree that the tube needs to be double thickness becaus...

Harry Babb

Scot
I believe that the 6B is about 362 Cubic Inch displacment.
Harry Babb

Harry Babb

Are we talking about he 5.9 Liter Cummins engine???
Harry Babb

Harry Babb

Bruce Why would anybody want to crank 370 horsepower out of a "B" series engine. I realize that this question has nothing to do with the gear failure. I know a guy that works for Cummins and has worked for them for years on end. He tells me that its possible to crank well in the excess of 400 HP out...

Harry Babb

I would guess that those big boys swing a 10' diameter wheel...........Whats your guess JP??
Whats the rest of the story???? Got any idea??

Hey Scot............I've got an idea Ha Ha

Harry Babb

Harry Babb

Thanks for the reply, I was in hopes that I could get reassurance from the faithful that I could get a good finish using West Systems on the wood followed by primer and the urethane top coat. Thanks again for sharing your experience with me........I will let you know how it turns out. I am still in ...

Harry Babb

Well Timmy I hear what you are saying..........I've seen the day that I thought dynamite was the only soultion Nowadays I just get an attitude adjustment from my buddy "Gentleman Jack" .............doesn't make the job any easier but somehow I just don't care Ha Ha Today I spent the afternoon screwi...

Harry Babb

Today I worked for a few hours rebuilding the cabin door casing on my 31 Express, "De Nada". Soon both the cabin door and the head door will close and latch properly for the first time since I owned the boat. Eventually I intend to paint the interior of the cabin. The bulkheads and the "head door" t...

Harry Babb

The way I describe this situation is...... You can touch the part that you want to work on and you can see that part.......you just cannot do both at the same time.

My experience is that you are doing about all that can be done.

Sorry

Harry Babb

Harry Babb

I am once again working on the interior of De Nada. I would appreciate advise from you guys that are the experts in the paint and glass department. First of all I want to paint some of the bare wood inside of my cabin. What do you guys recommend that I use to seal the wood before applying the finish...

Harry Babb

Kevin If the sealing surface is corroded or damaged it does not matter how tight you tighten the packing it will never seal and stay sealed for any length of time. If the bearing area of the rudder stock or the bearing area of the packing box is worn and the clearance is excessive the packing will n...

Harry Babb

Bruce, I have always heard that the 300+ HP engines need 6" exhaust. I am rebuilding a pair of 6B's for an upcoming 31 Express repower. The engines that I am rebuilding are early 90's models and the Exhaust elbow accepts a 5" hose. I intend to install mufflers and my question to you is, should I bus...

Harry Babb

Thanks for the reply Bruce, I am rebuilding a pair of Cummins 6B's. I am sure that the reason that #6 cylinder failed is because of a severly deteriorated exhaust elbow. The engine was actually running and I don't know that the Turbo is bad but if my theory is correct, saltwater had to passed thru t...

Harry Babb

I'm with you Alex...........$140.00 a pop is a good price. I actually live in Point Clear.......I advertise that I live in Fairhope because people usually know more about Fairhope than other surounding areas. How long ago did you visit Point Clear??? I moved to Point Clear in 1972 and could never ma...

Harry Babb

Mikey My favorite "Boat Store" around here is Bluewater Ship Stores http://www.bluewatershipsstore.com I also shop for hoses at local industrial rubber supply companies. Locally one of the places is Port City Rubber and Gasket company. This kind of store generally stocks all kind of marine rubber pr...

Harry Babb

Have any of you guys ever rebuilt a Turbo Charger??? In all of the years of mechanics I have always simply replaced them with Rebuilt or new but I think I will try my hand at rebuilding one...........

What cha think

Harry Babb

Harry Babb

Alex I also run gassers fed by Quadrajunk carburetors. I personally think that the Rochester Quadrajets are really good nearly bullet proof carbs. Unless your carburetors are corroded to pieces the most economical way to deal with them is to purchase a kit for $30/$40 and let a qualified Carb mechan...

Harry Babb

Kevin Your numbers confirms my opinion of outboard motors........"The only way to get enormous horsepower out of such a small block is to sling enormous quantities of gasoline thru it". My first outboard motor was a mid 60's model..........I think it was about 75 horsepower. By the time the boat was...

Harry Babb

Welcome to our sandbox. You will find a world of knowledge and opinions here as you probably already know.............the entertainment aint' (southern term) bad either. Congratualtions on your boat..........I'm sure it will bring you many hours of pleasure both repowering it and playing with it. Ha...

Harry Babb

Thanks for the education guys.........some of the lingo I can follow....I'm from Alabama and although I am trainable it could be difficult for both of us.
Thanks
Harry Babb

Harry Babb

Hi Frank I am more of an propeller shaft/coupling/strut/installation/engine guy rather than fiberglass and paint. Its not to often that something comes up on here that I feel qualified to talk about but these windows that you are dealing with...........I have been there and done that and have the te...

Harry Babb

Tony
That makes perfectly good sense.......I simply couldn't figure that one out........
You doing Okay???
Thanks
Harry Babb

Harry Babb

Okay Whaler1777 are we talking in some kind of secret code or somthing.....What the F*$# does IMHO translate to in English
Harry Babb

Harry Babb

Allen If you are serious about buying a "Project boat" look at a post by Whaler1777 entitled "Its Back". On that post there is a link to a Bertram 31 Express Cruiser that can be purchased right now for $9800.00. The "Express" is a rare model of the 31's. The one listed on Ebay needs everything.........

Harry Babb

Frank The window frames are very weldable. Keep in mind that the frames are anodized and the weld filler metal that is added will not be anodized and subject to immediate corrosion when the salt water hits it. My frames were in pretty rough shape. Several steel fasteners and a bunch of stainless ste...

Harry Babb

Mike
Me email address is hbabb@bsmachineshop.com
Harry Babb

Harry Babb

Walter
Whos image are you thinking is getting elevated here?
Harry Babb

Harry Babb

Captian Mike I would like to see Pics of the Teak cover boards if you don't mind. I like the look of wood also........hell, I live in a Log Cabin......I think there are 9 pieces of sheet rock in my whole house. My current Bertram project is, I am completely redoing the cabin of an Express and I am t...

Harry Babb

Now really.......... Why would we want to kick you "Jesters" off of our the forum, I personally find your humor entertaining......and besides I cannot fault a guy for trying to improve his image. We all know that our image can be improved by hanging around well a respected community and I think that...

Harry Babb

Dave
My thoughts and prayers will be offered for you and for your family. I will pray that you have successful and speedy recovery.
Harry Babb

Harry Babb

My grandfather was special to me and I to him. He taught me to surf fish in Northwest Florida in the Gulf of Mexico as well as Bream fishing in creeks near Pensacola. He was full of advice that I did not want to agree with as a child but ................the old man was right. I was 35 when he died a...

Harry Babb

Hi Allen Welcome to our sandbox.... My thoughts are that if you are willing to and capable of doing most of the work your self offer 15K and negotiate from there If you are not willing to spend all of your spare time, and then some, for the next 2+ years or do not have the resources to restore this ...

Harry Babb

Vic I haven't seen the "Dreamin On" in quiet a while. The last captian that I knew running that boat is a guy that I went to High School with. He had a motorcycle accident summer before last and it cost him a leg. The "Dreamin On" is one hella of boat and unbelievably beautiful inside as well out......

Harry Babb

Congradulations Mikey, Thats good news and the timing is perfect.....by early spring you will be ready to kick ass (literally) once again. I know exactly how you are feeling........in 1979 I had a motorcycle accident and after 2 months in the hospital I spent 9 months on crutches...the day that I go...

Harry Babb

Looks like the engine exhaust thru the side of the hull just ahead of the transom..........???

Although I have never seen this on a Bertram 31 I hear that it helps get the exhaust fumes away from the boat at slow speeds..............

Anyone know about the side exhaust?????

Harry Babb

Harry Babb

If I were 20 years younger I would be all over this project boat...and stay up half of the night doing it......

Tried to talk my son into undertaking it but no luck yet......he is to focused on an old Camaro

Harry Babb

Harry Babb

Here in Point Clear Alabama we recieved several inches of rain and by noon on Friday it was clear and blue skies. I am getting fired up again to work on the interior of my boat tomorrow........... Hey Bruce, I think that for now, I will Eat.......Drink.........and Work on the Boat..... for tomorrow ...

Harry Babb

Did all of you guys in Texas and Louisiana make it thru the storm Okay yesterday? Just a lot of rain here in My part of South Alabama but I heard on the news that parts of Louisiana got hit very hard. I will be watching for coastal flooding today.........may have to back "De Nada" out of the boat ho...

Harry Babb

Sim
It sounds like these engines will do just what you want and I am sure that the DD's are very reliable
To my knowledge these engines will idle down to 550

Let us know how it all turns out
Harry Babb

Harry Babb

Hi Scott Tell me about the Detroit that you are rebuilding. Its been several years since I have turned a wrench on one but I remember a good bit about my "Diesel Years"..............Mostly DD's and Mack's and Cummins. I will never forget the "Rush" that I get when I clamp a pair of visegrips onto th...

Harry Babb

My opinion of DD is the same as Scotts.............Good reliable inexpensive engine to rebuild and maintain. I have considerable experience on Detroits infact the 653 is the first diesel engine that I ever overhauled..........but......I would look REAL HARD to try to find something else to use to re...

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Another shark attack

Painting technique??????

Paint advise

Turbo Charger

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