bertram31.com

aussierob

This is a pic of the cockpit with seats in from the flybridge, which might help with the visual: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cFS7ntlnP-G7-85QwnNS7mmSgFS0aMv6imNhlprC2n6p9sy8-5Nhh1Vy0hHUOmkwG2CpgZAj5Yt8Hm18Q9Z23N80xqMvodQ6muNb_UWNsNrOfNYHXASa8LjRCsxhwTpQiHP5FfRPCrYu3GnVgW-RzLGPdGPINP0Nc460DWWEK...

aussierob

Ok I think I understand you now. So when you stand at lets say at the transom, your knees are hiting the gunnel. From the picture it looks like you shin hits the gunnel. Which would be way too low or high depending on how you look at it. Hi Tony, When the seats are out and it's in "fishing mode", c...

aussierob

Rob, The partial side metalwork I believe might create stumbling problems when trying to go the forward deck. I had done just that (retained the sides while gotten rid of the aft part) and there's always a tube where you least expect it. I finally got rid of it all. What happened to the head window...

aussierob

I've noticed a few things in the manual available on the Bertram website that don't hold true on my 1980 either... (trim tabs etc which were added later i believe).

aussierob

Nice job. It looks like the step down coming off the engine box's is gone. I would think that makes standing against the gunnel a little nerve wracking, or is that just due to the angle of the picture? I'm not entirely sure if you mean port / starboard, or aft of the hatch? The hatch is level acros...

aussierob

Everything is now completed and running! I finished all my plumbing and such before reinstallation and had both engines running on "fake" engine beds. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SzTuBYm5jGNRYhPnWE8cWblibYNnNvSbv8AJwTS6ExmqlZuIHDOnSn9fyqCde8oBCiBUFwNBULxL5wgmus0zyqIDjJ9fc57_azNC75CcV34bi5_MykD...

aussierob

Joseph Fikentscher wrote:Very nice! Can't wait to see them installed.

Thanks Joseph! Only a few weeks away now!

aussierob

Rob Nice work. Bilge cleaned up nicely. Thanks Tony. Yeah - someone gave it some love at some point, and given the timing of getting running again before Christmas, i'm satisfied enough with it to not undertake a full rework. It will help not having chev's leaking about a litre of oil every few hou...

aussierob

I don't think i can embed a video without putting it on Youtube, but here's a few links: First firing! https://photos.app.goo.gl/x2hx4adaLETW6ZVc8 Gilmer / transmission testing (was only running for a minute, so no exhaust water, didn't have time to come up to temp even) https://photos.app.goo.gl/Lp...

aussierob

As far as the engines go, i've upgraded the 260 mercruisers to brand new 330HP Vortecs. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rs0yOUu0NIuZov1vvzWTTvCrWEfPlOip7CVRKbLVzG4e43kCdgThrzQ3Wgz7W3N7BVnROwU3AWbU7Vg4AE52m3ZHq36vDC6r2EzYzBUJenpgQla8Yp7xmJNIuvJp8XX3HkApmvzforA7BgASVRvDLp-BkA3rHTbYjvPq5Y-1oH71pnJg4C...

aussierob

The transmissions were cosmetically worse than the engines. While they ran fine, they were screaming for some love and attention, which i gave them. Heavy corrosion https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DMOiyMTZwhIZ9rBTxGU9VR_cyRdUoDJ78XHkKHWPQ20Cn5WU-jveU2vxhhz_Qo3DjF6StBcPidWLJSCCRsjzYVfkBddi0yexbUuvi...

aussierob

Hi Everyone, I haven't posted in a while - have been busy getting things done on my Bertram amongst a very heavy work schedule, but thought i'd post an update. In May, i pulled both of my Mercruiser 260 with Velvet Drives, due to a VERY poor performing port engine (as in almost unusable, no power / ...

aussierob

Yannis wrote:Yeah, I also wish our boats were a couple of feet wider! especially in the middle section.

A few feet wider, a dozen feet longer...

And magically running on half the fuel while at double the speed.

Could live with that :D

Rob

aussierob

Rob, If you have gas engines, or if your engines are not in the way, you may wish to consider making two separate engine boxes (like in the 31) and eliminate the step in your way to the cabin....big improvement not having to go up before you go down again. And still make everything removable for ac...

aussierob

Rob, I thought about center risers when I repowered my 28, and found I did not have enough clearance under the hatch for them. Because of the angle of the engines the further forward you go the closer to the hatch--that's why the heat exchanger is mounted on the aft end. Tooeez, I wasn't sold on th...

aussierob

One more thing, you MUST use hose that is reinforced with wire on the cooling system...... so potentially not so flexible. (I'm assuming that you were suggesting using flex hose like that cool looking silicon stuff on the cooling system) Unlike the fully pressurized exhaust system, the cooling syst...

aussierob

Hi Everyone, Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on using stainless pipe for fresh water / coolant circulation? I'm changing from Log-style to center risers on my 5.7L engines, so can't re-use many of my hoses (they're not in the best condition either, so i probably wouldn't even if i could). ...

aussierob

Rob, I don't have any more pictures. I don't think I have posted a picture since Photobucket. Might be time for me to re-train. If you have not done any patch work or repairs with fiberglass I would not recommend starting with hatch cover project. It's a significant project. Structurally and aesthe...

aussierob

Some good advice here based on my understanding. I know my velvet drives turn at idle when in neutral, which i don't think is uncommom (especially in Winter here when the transmission fluid would be quite cold), however that's out of the boat with no props attached, and only because there's nothing ...

aussierob

I think I would use the existing hatches again. I would be tempted to make my own with foam core but you need a big flat surface for lay up. Existing hatches are heavier than modern foam core so that is a draw back. Yannis brings some points that are not a factor for me. I can still get on bridge a...

aussierob

The single hatch option has one important drawback. You cannot work onto the engines from the cabin side, especially when two people have to work together. Also, you cannot go into the cabin to get a tool or to the flybridge to start the engines or monitor the gauges while the hatch is open. Otherw...

aussierob

Welcome! I have a B28 also (running petrol so not much help on the diesels sorry).

They're a solid boat - you'll enjoy it!

Rob

aussierob

Also Kevin... having gone through this process...

If you were to do this job again, would you still use the original hatches and bond them together etc as you did, or would you suggest simply making a new 1-piece hatch?

I can think of pro / con on both options.

Cheers,
Rob

aussierob

Not wanting to necessarily bring up an old thread, but i've only just found this Kevin - it looks amazing! I'm currently repowering with 330hp Vortec motors, and center risers are replacing the old logs. I'm keen to add a bit of height to the hatches, since they currently touch the flame arrestor an...

aussierob

i discuss this in depth with Captain Patrick 12 years ago. unfortunately, i come across these terrible deaths as a volunteer fireman/ EMT. quite often it happens in poor people homes near the farms as they use a BBQ to heat and cook in winter. realizing carbon monoxide is odorless AND heavier than ...

aussierob

That's very sad.

We are in Winter here in Aus, and have had a number if incidents in homes relating to faulty heaters etc also.

CO monitor is perhaps the wisest investment, even with no generator, it can become toxic in the cabin when the wind is blowing the wrong way at low speeds.

Rob

aussierob

In addition , i would check your spark plugs. A single mis/non-firing cylinder would explain a lot of what you noted (poor cold idle and not running at full power). We don't have ethanol in our marine fuel here (it's all 95+ premium) in Aus. If i've ever found water in the lines it created stalling,...

aussierob

Tony Meola wrote:Taking a quick look, it seems they have a couple of products that POR does not make. So we now have another option.

Always good to have options!

aussierob

NIce article Rob. You have now joined the select few of this crew who have managed to get published. Dug's boat is the most famous, gracing the pages of Soundings several times, along with an article on his refit. Thanks Tony, i just saw the print edition today - rather happy. I think the Bertram n...

aussierob

Hi Everyone,

For anyone interested, a small write-up on my Bertram adventures was published in our Aussie Afloat Magazine this month.

http://magazine.afloat.com.au/?iid=160058#folio=30

Rob

aussierob

Tony Meola wrote:Rob

I do not have a lower station. I can only run her from the bridge. The lower stations lost favor sometime in the late 60's to early 70's. When we purchased our boat in 1975 getting one with a lower station meant ordering it from the factory.

Very interesting Tony!

Rob

aussierob

Mine is a '78 so that probably explains why I have the lower station and the bulkhead. FWIW, having driven the boat once from each position, I can see why the lower station was not popular. It's really hard to see where you are going from the position inside the cabin. I think with no flybridge, th...

aussierob

I have a B28 (350 chev motors, 71c trans) so things might be different. I'm currently repowering, and addressing some of those "annoying" items. I never had a need to touch the trans cooler, but found it was in the way of other items (made it almost impossible to service spark plugs on the starboard...

aussierob

Rob Thank You. Never came across them before. Will have to take a look at some point. No worries Tony. I've read reviews comparing KBC with POR15, and seems to be fairly equivalent. If i could access POR15 more easily here in Aus, i wouldn't have looked elsewhere. However like most, i'm just glad t...

aussierob

Tony Meola wrote:Interesting products. Does not look like it is available in the US.

Tony,

https://www.kbs-coatings.com for anyone in the USA i think - this was the Aussie distributor that i ordered from.

Rob

aussierob

Peter You are vorrevvt it is page 26. Rob For some reason Bertram did not have an ignition key on all there models. My 31 only had toggle switches and start buttons. The weak theft prevention was that I could kill the power to the engines through the DC breaker panel. Close the cabin door and lock ...

aussierob

I have a B28 with small block chev's (350). I had a stalling issue when i first got it. It was spark related due to a mis-wire. It would run fine for hours (such as our maiden voyage - 5hrs at 20kts), then cut out randomly and wouldn't start back up. My suggestions: 1. If you have a low voltage coil...

aussierob

Hi Everyone, While i have I'm prepping my bilge for repaint soon. I don't really know anything about the coating already there (some type of flowcoat / gelcoat i assume?). It appears original. It's all in rather good condition, i'm just taking advantage of no motors. Boat is still in the water, so w...

aussierob

For anyone interested, i ended up ordering from https://www.kbs-coatings.com.au/ I found limited access to POR15, and read somewhere that the old owner of POR15 developed KBS products. Regardless, found good reports, and more importantly, could find a way to buy the stuff in Aus. I made an online en...

aussierob

For what it's worth, i have a B28, and i don't actually own any keys for the lower helm. I've never used anything but the flybridge keys / controls.

However i've now started rewiring with the anticipation of removing the lower helm entirely.

Rob

aussierob

Sounds like you have got it under control Rob. I like my Velvet Drives. Thanks Rawleigh - they're great units!!! Now i just need the rain to stop so i can get to work... i'm working on an outdoor area with a pergola. However wind / rain can still get in there (we don't have a garage - converted it ...

aussierob

Rawleigh wrote:We just mail order it here.

Yeah - importing paint is difficult due to it being a chemical.

But i should be able to find someone to order from.

Rob

aussierob

The pre-tensioning should take care on any play, unless you see any pitting, scarring or discoloration on the rollers or the race.. I did carefully inspect everything, and am very pleased with what i found (ie - nothing). There are a few scratches in a planetary gear from a piece of dirt or somethi...

aussierob

Thanks to both of you for your recommendations! It seems it's a little hard to get in Aus, but i'll figure it out! It's available, but not everywhere (and not everyone stocks the full range, just a few bits). I've read about people top-coating the anodise-look paint i want to use on a few accessorie...

aussierob

Alodine was Capt. Pat's go-to prep for aluminum before any primer was applied. As to the next step I will let someone with more experience answer. https://www.google.com/search?q=alodine&oq=alodine&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.2037j1j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 Thanks Rawley. I think the velvet drive casin...

aussierob

Rawleigh wrote:Are they tapered bearings?

Yes - they're tapered, and face each other with a spacer between them.

aussierob

Rob Sounds like a good plan. Maybe replace the bearings just because you are in there. Bill Parts are a little tough to come by here in Australia, but i agree, may be worth doing the output bearings at least. Though i don't have a shop press to do the inner one of the pair. But may be able to work ...

aussierob

Hi Everyone, I am currently rebuilding my velvet drives, and preparing to do some engine work (brand new long blocks, re-using and overhauling some of my accessories). I have stripped one of the velvet drives almost back to bare metal (outer casings only, internally they're fine), and am almost read...

aussierob

Rob, One suggestion. When you set up the forward clutch pack on the velvet drives, set the clearance on the loose side of the spec. Foe instance, if spec is 0.030" to 0.055", set the clearance at about 0.050. These are not the exact specs but close and gives you an example. The first one I ever did...

aussierob

Varnished/epoxy-sealed bulkheads can be gorgeous on the B28. I’d do it. Check out “Little Buddy”: https://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/619335-bertram-28-little-buddy-refit.html I had seen little buddy - it looks amazing. I'm not sure i'd go as far as all that internal work, but the bulkheads ...

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