bertram31.com

David Davidson

I’ve got about 300 hours on the Whisper now. It’s been reliable. No problems. It’s a single cylinder, so there is a little more vibration than other gensets, but not excessive. It’s very quiet though. Spares and consumables are more expensive than more widely used brands. But it is very compact and ...

David Davidson

the tank was from these guys in the UK:
[imghttps://www.tek-tanks.com/custom-tanks//img]

I am sure you have plenty of companies who can fabricate the same.

David Davidson

[imghttps://www.dropbox.com/home/Bertram/Bertram%20pics/img]

Thats the folder with most of my pics. I was too busy with the work to take too many pics!
The tank is approx 740 litres (about 195 US gals).

David Davidson

[imghttps://www.dropbox.com/s/g0rq347e5vyensv/Photo%2002-10-2017%2C%2019%2044%2043.png?dl=0/img] [imghttps://www.dropbox.com/s/ta6z3mnc6frfstk/Photo%2002-10-2017%2C%2019%2044%2051.png?dl=0/img] [imghttps://www.dropbox.com/s/6rqc4gljkj6x7ob/Photo%2017-02-2017%2C%2015%2008%2046.jpg?dl=0/img] [imghttps...

David Davidson

In the long days and nights I was building my 31 from the hull up a few years ago I followed the Sea Hottie refit on line. I loved what the guy did, and still do. He put a lot of effort and love into it. I kind of used it as a template. Mine cost me around $300k by the end. I’m sure his wasn’t far o...

David Davidson

Cam’s right. I created a fresh water tank between the stringers under the cabin sole which holds about 200 litres (53 US gals, 44 imp gals). When it’s full or even near full I can definitely feel it when under way. It flattens the ride and doesn’t feel good. I nearly always keep the water tank less ...

David Davidson

750 litres
198 US gallons
165 imp gallons

David Davidson

Hi, Cost was about 40% less for plastic. Baffles - 3 lateral, one longitudinal in mine Overseas - yes UK! but during my rebuild almost everything came from the US (except the tank!). Shipping costs are just part of the cost from wherever you buy from. They were not so high. There will be plastic wel...

David Davidson

A couple of years ago during a total refit I replaced the original fibreglass fuel tank with a shorter but higher welded plastic tank for diesel from Tek Tanks. You send them dimensions (be as accurate as you can with angles), where you want pick-ups & returns, what size/type etc. Mine arrived exact...

David Davidson

I used aluminium (English spelling!) box section throughout under my deck. No rot worries.

David Davidson

I’ve got 3 lengths of 8mm chain on board: 1x10m with 100ft rope which I use in most scenarios. If the situation requires it I shackle another 15m section of chain onto the first, then the rope. If really necessary I shackle the last section of 15m chain on also. I’ve used the full amount only once, ...

David Davidson

She’s currently on a transport heading down to the Mediterranean for Summer, polluting engines and all!!

David Davidson

Sean, I guess the difference there is that your boat is already US registered. If you don’t inform the EPA about your new (old style) engines, they will never know. As a non-US registered boat I have to declare EVERYTHING about my boat before getting permission to enter. BIG fines for false declarat...

David Davidson

Thanks for the replies. I got to the engine section on the paperwork for the import clearance, and as there was no EPA certificate to input it wouldn't let me go any further. It seems it was to do with the manufacture date of the engines, not the boat. I'll get in touch with an agent who knows about...

David Davidson

Gentlemen, As you may (or may not) remember I did a ground up refit of my 31 a couple of years ago. I fitted two new Yanmar 4LHA-STPs, manufacture date 2016. I fitted these as they are mechanical with no electronics to worry me. However, I am now thinking of bringing her over to the US, and have bee...

David Davidson

I installed a little 3.5kw "Whisper Power" genset specifically to run the a/c. it uses 12 litres fuel per 24hrs apparently, so 8hrs overnight around 4 litres. A small price to pay to sleep well IMO. I can't hear it in the cabin, but can feel a very slight vibration. Boat shipping to the Carib at the...

David Davidson

Brandon, I recently totally stripped out a B31 with big, old and heavy Cummins V504s. They ran great, sounded awesome but were not what I wanted (and hard to find spares for). I gutted the entire boat, which was in original but great condition, and rebuilt it how I wanted. I now have a brand new, mo...

David Davidson

Bob, Really nice and tidy deck. I got my air into the engines from behind the fibreglass side panels I made. Both underneath and at the back (haven’t had any water in or salt residue on anything yet in the engine bays): https://i.postimg.cc/6ytC3Jq7/4-ACAC823-74-E8-432-B-BBF1-2726-AAA150-EE.jpg http...

David Davidson

Very nice.

Coincidentally I just did a walkthrough vid of my new interior

David Davidson

I have flushing valves on my intakes and flush with fresh water after every trip. Takes less than 5 mins. No external filter, but internal basket type. No growth at all.
It may be worth looking at fitting these.

David Davidson

Hi all,
I'm thinking about shipping my 31 down to the Grenadines at the end of the year.

Has anyone any experience of operating in the area? I would be interested to hear.

David Davidson

"Those come int effect when your moving and cruising and we don't need them then. Deep V's run great...its when stopped we suffer"
Carl, they are "zero speed" also (i.e. at anchor) and they work very well....but it was a joke.

David Davidson

http://www.quantum-medmarine.com/

Overkill?
Nah!

David Davidson

I fitted Volvo Interceptor trim system to my 31. They have no tabs to get snagged. https://www.volvopenta.com/marinecommercial/en-en/products/propulsion-mc/ranges/inboard-shaft-propulsion-mc/options/boat-dynamics-inboard-shaft-propulsion-mc/volvo-penta-interceptor-system/volvo-penta-interceptor-syst...

David Davidson

Thanks Carl

David Davidson

Hi, Hauled out at the weekend, and saw my strut bearings need replacing. They are the only things I didn’t replace in last year’s rebuild, as they looked like new. Obviously the new engines and shafts were not best aligned with the bearings, which I will address. My question is what would be the out...

David Davidson

On paper they look good. They're modern, and the Volvo brand is strong. Maybe someone in an office somewhere made the decision!

David Davidson

In my experience of using both D4s and D6s in Superyacht tenders they are good motors but let down by bad electronics. In one year we had to replace 3 complete (twin) throttle quadrants and ECUs from 4 engines. Volvo simply could not find the problems. After those tenders we chose Steyr engines for ...

David Davidson

Thanks guys. The Yanmars are LOUD. Too loud to live with long term, so I’ll get it done this Winter.

Not sure I can find Soundown over this side. I will need to find similar.

Merry Christmas to all.
David.

David Davidson

Hi,
What are the best materials to use for engine bay sound insulation? Do you guys use the lead layer foam type for the lids, or is it too heavy?

Does the egg box type foam do anything worthwhile?

Grateful for any advice.

David Davidson

Good Morning I have a marine engineering company in the UK and one of my customers has a Bertram 31 and has carried out an extensive refit, we have installed a pair of Yanmar 4LHA’s fort him and have used your site for tips along the way which has been really useful!! The owner installed Tides Marin...

David Davidson

All Flexiteak.
They make 20mm thick planks for things like the covering boards

David Davidson

I have just done this in the last few weeks. They are held on with a brass threaded rod, which has a brass washer and nut inside the superstructure. The rod is drilled through the fibreglass and a length of reinforcing wood which runs the length of the hand rail. There is no way around it, you need ...

David Davidson

Cariedl, The Flexiteak has been good so far, but it’s early days. Looks great, and no one knows it’s not teak. It does still get quite hot under foot in strong sunshine compared to teak, even though this is their new, improved material. It’s definitely easier to maintain than teak. Here’s some pics ...

David Davidson

Finally got “Bulldog” finished. Another B31 totally renewed and good for another 40 years. What started as a 4 month project took 20 months, but now she is what I wanted. 28 knots WOT with 75% tanks and bimini enclosure on. I’m happy with that on Yanmar 240s. Currently in U.K. where no one knows wha...

David Davidson

Thanks Tony.
I’m trying to get the measurement before getting hauled out, so I have the seals ready.

I have replaced the Tides lip seal already, but still leaks. They are less tolerant to movement of the engine & shaft than the PSS type, it seems.

David Davidson

Hi, Having just sea trialled and had leaking “dripless” seals (rubber lip seal type), I now know that I should have bought the PSS type! Question is, what diameter stern tube do I have? It’s the original tube, on a ‘71 B31. Anyone know offhand? PSS need to know that to give me the correct size rubbe...

David Davidson

Many thanks Pete.
I will call them next week.

David Davidson

Hi, I would like some help and guidance on what outrigger set up is best for me on my '31. I know next to nothing about these, so go easy on me! My boat will be Mediterranean based and probably around 60% a family day boat, and 40% fishing for tuna (smaller around 50lb), bonito, mackerel etc. Nothin...

David Davidson

The hinge holes have also been filled and I can’t seem to drill the holes in the right place for the hatch to fit properly. I can’t figure out what’s wrong. I’ve tried it all ways around.
I may permanently fix it down and fit a glass hatch on top of it. Anyone done that with good results?

David Davidson

Hi, I recently started to refit the original foredeck hatch, after filling all holes and painting. I can’t seem to make it fit now!! If the hinges line up, the forward doesn’t seal and vice versa. As they are not particularly attractive anyway, what options do I have? If I replace with a modern hatc...

David Davidson

Mike, Bob,
Thanks for the input. Great layout. That’s the way I’m going. Just need to get the Perko chocks sent from the States (which over the doubles the price!!). No one over this side sells them.

David Davidson

Yannis, I’m pretty familiar with anchoring techniques thanks. I’ve done it more than a few times before!!

Thanks Tommy, that’s good advice. The rope tubes didn’t look very watertight, but they obviously are. I’ll stick with tried and tested.

David Davidson

Thanks guys. Rather than having a rope/chain pipe, I was thinking of having a small round inspection hatch under the anchor. A 4” watertight hatch would allow chain and shackles through when required. Like this one: https://www.force4.co.uk/force-4-screw-inspection-covers-m.html Obviously, once anch...

David Davidson

Hi, I am launching my refit soon and am thinking about anchor arrangement. As the boat did not have the anchor on deck previously it didn’t have original anchor chocks. I am keen to put these on, but haven’t seen any pics of them. Does anyone have any pics? I am thinking of a Fortress FX11 on deck, ...

David Davidson

Steve, you have yourself a truly beautiful boat.
Almost too good to change it.
Petrols with 200 hrs only? Keep them in there. Spend the money on fuel and change them when they start being trouble (many years yet).

David Davidson

And that Sahara red dust stains Awlgrip paint if left on more than a week. Ask me how I know!

David Davidson

That’s all good advice. Thanks all.

David Davidson

Gentlemen, I have a dilemma. I am at the stage of rebuild to consider what to put up on the flybridge for weather protection and radar mount. I bought the following hardtop last year from a B31 in Italy who changed to a bimini: http://www.nauticexpo.com/prod/fantin-paolo/product-32987-436659.html Tr...

David Davidson

Thanks Stephan. That’s useful.
David.

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