bertram31.com

John Swick

Jeremey,
Thank you for the trip down memory lane .

John Swick

If you're there (staniel cay), it's a short boat ride north to compass cay to swim with the sharks (seriously). Indeed, afew miles north or south are some outstanding snorkeling areas. If you're going to Great Exuma and renting a day boat, the Chill'n Chat (John Depp's Bar) is something to see. Lunc...

John Swick

Staniel Cay is not what it was 20yrs ago. Even 10yrs ago. Quiet, quant, private, unassuming. 2018 was my last visit. ~45' center console tour boats with four 400hp outboards and 25 people aboard come down from Nassau for the day to go snorkeling and have lunch at the yacht club. Pigs are penned up f...

John Swick

Some nice touches there, but Ican't believe they left the nut fryer in front of the flybridge?

John Swick

Or other part/kit sources...
Thanks,

John Swick

Hi All, I'm in the build-up stage on a B31 Bahia Mar project boat. It's no where near to being done, but at least the tear down/out is over. Cabrera Yachts had a really nice looking livewell kit, a lower console kit, and some other parts that I'm interested in. I called them, but had difficulty with...

John Swick

There should be a fuse/bus bar behind the helm console.
Access to that is thru the back of the bulkhead in the cabin.
Good luck.

John Swick

"Plywood is a laminate, once you cut it to a 3" strip you removed the tension of half the layers greatly reducing its strength."
Huh??
No further explanation required.

John Swick

A strip of 1/2" builder's grade plywood 3" wide and 2' long breaks relatively easily over a knee. The same size strip of marine grade plywood can be broken over a knee, but you wouldn't want to do that too many times in a day (least I wouldn't). If you try that trick with the same size strip of Coos...

John Swick

Hi Rick
Great!
I'm on a trip down in the west indies til the 18th.
If you email me your location, I'll figure out what courier company works best.
Also may have a vehicle coming north from Florida later this month.
Thanks,
John

John Swick

Hi Rick,
I'll take them if they're not already spoken for, and for your trouble, send a healthy donation to the site in your name.
My contact info is in my member profile.
Feel free to contact me at your convenience.
Thanks,
John

John Swick

Amen Yannis.
A prop repairers nightmare!
Damn pretty technology though.
Happy New Year.
John

John Swick

FYI An acquaintance of mine and I both bought B25 Bahia Mars at the same time about 20yrs ago. He repowered his with new twin mercuiser 4cyl 140hp i/o's. I repowered mine with a new Volvo 8.1L 350hp/375hp and a duo-prop outdrive. I never did not get a ride in his boat, but other acquaintances that h...

John Swick

My 1st B25, that I still have, is a 1963 sport convertible that was last repowered in the late 80's with Mercruiser 488's. They are loud, and rough running until they spool up. WFO is screaming (literally) right around 50mph. It is heavy in the ass end (drain plugs in the scuppers are a must have) a...

John Swick

One 300hp-350hp outboard on a porta bracket, or an inboard/outboard w/a dp outdrive. KISS Cutting down the transom on a B25 bahia mar is more complex because of the height of the cockpit deck. The extra superstructure forward will help with the weight of an outboard hanging off the back. A buddy of ...

John Swick

That has been my experience too.
B25 has more flair from the chine up at the bow...that's probably why.

John Swick

"it’s gonna be hard to find an excuse not to be there."
Wife's best friend, 50th birthday weekend at our camp.

Some day....
Looking forward to some pic's.

John Swick

Hi Mike,

Glad to hear you are well.
I trust Bryan(sp?) is too.

There was one (express hardtop) languishing in a bone yard in Fort Pierce for years.
Rare bird.
Then it was gone.
I like to think that someone saved it.

Best Regards,
John

John Swick

Sorry for his family's loss.
Never met the man, but his interactions on the board always seemed quite jovial to me.
John

John Swick

Great next level technology, and arguably worth every penny of the hefty price tag.

'It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.'
Ferris Bueller, 1986.

John Swick

Honey Harbour/Georgian Bay is my neck of the woods. There were/are a few 31 moppies, open convertibles and hardtops, up here. One of the B31 opens was in my marina for acouple of years docked next to my B25 open. That was at least one computer ago, so I'm struggling to find the pic's I took of them ...

John Swick

I put that in the cockpit of my B25 Bahia Mar ~5yrs ago. I looks great and is holding up very well, considering all the crap that gets loaded onto it every weekend. However, once in the sun for awhile it does get too hot to stand on comfortably in bare feet. Have to pour a bucket of water down on it...

John Swick

Kids and technology (phones, tablets, game stations).....don't get me started!!

John Swick

``Every super model has a chubby younger sister who bakes a mean meatloaf. And some guys prefer the meatloaf over a good bedtime story.``
LMAO
Good one Peter, I`m going to have to try and remember that one.
John

John Swick

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/M4hTX4VzZXc5awj0b1LeTqjuM8AikuHtq_1AEFcx8e9ETv-cXfqcvVz-G1VdiYeMjjeWbD--IPX2gRCGk86BWp2m5MsDBz-Jz8t6H3HW0WRJBIcE1AzBWl9IIOmejdMzqxUgaQtuCAX8KA_01G25PpOLm-36O933pe9GUfrLtPhiS-zXJxWltA4_TXppIlYiBKwesPnQCd9q6Fqwrbp0ouAGp-oAcptEdlwjqz7MGiF4Vo-RK7HFsA9Vf8js7XZ-lJoYs7oObw...

John Swick

Hi, Yes removing the original rub rail is a pain, til you figure out that cutting it is the way to go. Exact replica aluminum rail is still available which I've used with good results. I've also used 1" stainless bull nose, and it looks good too. My experience has been that rubber and vinyl rub rail...

John Swick

Carpet comes off/out easily. Definitely use respiratory protective gear though The remaining glue on the hull is another matter. We just knocked of the ridges with a very aggressive sanding disk, cleaned and coated with paint. It's a hard pebbled surface now that cleans up easily and been mold free ...

John Swick

Hi, Bruce hit the nail right on the head, it's all about balance. IMO, original i/o open sport convertibles were stern heavy. There's a world of difference in ride and handling when weight/COG is moved forward. Any comfortable seating is valuable space. From the pic's you've posted, there's seating ...

John Swick

Hi Beachbum, My '62 B25 sport convertible w/a single gas 350hp mercruiser/b3 outdrive tops out on the GPS at just over 50mph. Mind you it's alot lighter than the boat you're looking at (chines @ transom are +1" out of the water resting). Even heavy with lots of gear and passengers my midrange #'s do...

John Swick

Bruce,
Thanks for that.
Regards,
John

John Swick

I've found a set of 6LY-UTE, rated @ 260hp/3100rpm continuous duty and 315hp/3300rpm max output.
What's/why the difference 6LY vs 6LP?
Is one better suited for a B31?
Is the 6LY-UTE a good fit in a B31?
Please advise.
Thanks,
John

John Swick

In your lower hp application you'll definitely benefit from the lift in the arse end that the tabs will give you right through your rpm spectrum.
Money well spent!
Good luck.
John

John Swick

Found my file.
The stuff I used is called Sintra.
Some people like Coke, and some people prefer Pepsi.
So the decision for me really came down to what is readily available in my community.
Good luck with the project.
John

John Swick

JR, It's Komacel or Komatex. Go to a sign shop, they should have samples that you can touch and feel. I've only used white, but I'm pretty sure the colour is right in the plastic so scratches really aren't an issue. I used 3/8" over a ~9' span (it's just a covering board for me) with no issues. Also...

John Swick

JR, PVC foam board can be found in multiple sizes, colours, and thickness, under many name brands. I've used it in multiple non structural projects including side panel on a B25 restoration I did 15+yrs ago that hasn't changed colour or warped. I get a local sign making shop to order it in for me wh...

John Swick

Duratec also has a yellowing effect over time / uv exposure.

John Swick

Hi, I'm not a big fan of o/b's, but I do concede that they have there advantages in certain situations. From you're original post, I got that you had decided to go o/b. I'm suggesting that if that's the the way you're going, you don't have to notch the transom and fabricate a splash well. And you do...

John Swick

https://portaproducts.com/porta-bracket/

That an a 250hp outboard....you won't be able to wipe the grin off your face.

Good luck with the repower.
John

John Swick

I liken them to power windows and mirrors in a vehicle.
To each there own.

John Swick

Afew years ago when I was traveling up and down the inter-coastal annually, Oriental NC struck me as really nice area.
Had a great small town feel to it.

John Swick

Hi Chris, Conversions are expensive and a lengthy process. The transom on your i/b boat most likely would need to be redone/beefed up. Jack shafts would reduce the amount of fiberglass work required, but they're not cheap either. Quickest and most economical solution is obvious. But were talkin' abo...

John Swick

Speed to RPM is very linear aswell.

John Swick

I have two B25's that were converted to single v8 duoprop i/o's. One has a big block rated @ 375hp, the other a small block rated @ 350hp. They both easily cruise @ 25mph to 35mph and top out in the low to mid 50's. The duoprop o/d tracks straight and true in forward and reverse around the docks. I ...

John Swick

Yes, you knew the lightning was close, when the hair on arms and legs stood on end.
Talk about dumb-ass moments.

John Swick

A long long time ago I used to race sailboats competitively around the Great Lakes.
We always had a couple sets of heavy gauge jumper cables on board.
When lightning threatened, we'd clamp one end on to the standing rigging and let the other end dangle in the water.

John Swick

24 knots @ 3000 rpm is outstanding ! Now is not a great time to be shopping for motors....cause there's no inventory!!! On the gas side anyways. Not just a shortage, there's no inventory. Combination of the manufacturing shut down earlier this year for engine blocks (USA) and all the peripherals tha...

John Swick

You are a machine!!

John Swick

I'll bet you're into ~$2000 a side just for the strut and strut bearing (parts) and at least 5hrs aside in labour. No way replacing 45yr old running gear is going to match up without shimming at the struts and an engine alignment. If the backing plates need work...+25% to the labour figures(?). Plan...

John Swick

Hi Marshall,
Find a propeller repair shop in your area.
They usually do struts and shafts too, and can advise if they're NFG.
They should also be able to source replacement products.
Good luck,
John

John Swick

I have a B25 Bahia Mar with a single DP volvo 8.1L (496) @ 375hp, and a B25 sport convertible with a single DP mercury 6.2L (383) @ 350hp. Very similar performance characteristics. Both lope along very efficiently @ 25-35 mph and top out in the low to mid 50's. Performance doesn't change much if the...

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