bertram31.com

cmccool

The original mercruisers were redlined around 4200rpm while the new ones are up at 5000rpm so will probably be overpropped running original props.

I repowered mine and with 17x15s, my WOT is 4650rpm.

16x16s will spin up to over 5000rpm. I now run 16x16s with a medium cup.

Cliff

cmccool

I repowered my 28 a few years ago - converted it from a flybridge to an express at the same time. Because I now run the boat while standing over top of the engines, I wanted to raise the engine covers for visibility so engine height was not an issue for me. I went with fuel injection and full Smartc...

cmccool

If you have the time, I would suggest looking for an old discarded fly bridge and cut that up. You might even be able to skin your complete windshield - save a ton of fairing. If I remember correctly, it is only about 1/8" thick and pretty easy to work with. At the very least you would have the same...

cmccool

My B28 has one on centreline between the engines. Seadog part 520048 is what I have. A T handle on the inside that I unscrew when on the hard.

Cliff

cmccool

I tore out my headliner because it was gross and replaced it with frp board. Held it up with stainless screws and put a nice piece of finished clear cedar to cover the one joint because it takes 2 sheets. It brightened up the interior significantly and is a huge upgrade in terms of cleaning and clas...

cmccool

I can't pull my props without dropping my rudders either on my 1973 B28. I have 1" of shaft between my strut and prop which is pretty much right on recommended. I know some of the guys can pull their props no problem - makes me kind of jealous actually. Not sure if Bertram changed the strut and\or r...

cmccool

Kiwigrip is awesome stuff. Easy to put on and will absolutely cover a 1/64" inch problem in your fairing.

I did mine 3 years ago and it still looks great - other than being dirty at the moment.

2 thumbs up from me for that stuff.

Cliff

cmccool

My bilge pump story: When I redid by B28 a couple of years ago I replaced the two existing bilge pumps with new 2000 gph units and added 2 more so I have 4 pumps. A couple of weeks ago I returned from a fishing trip, stopped at the fuel dock to refuel (no problem), then continued a 2 mile run at 7 k...

cmccool

Cap'n Tony

I have one which I will never use again as I converted my B28 to an express. You can have it for the cost of shipping and a donation to the site. Shipping might be expensive from British Columbia, Canada though, depending upon where you are located.

Cliff

cmccool

Kevin and Dick

Are you guys able to change props without dropping your rudders on your 28Bs? I sure can't on mine.

Cliff

cmccool

I raised mine 4" which is the max you can go without drainage issues. It is really quite easy to do and at least leaves you with a level deck over the engines. I personally wouldn't want different height hatches over my engines - it would be a major tripping hazard - the 28s are bad enough in that r...

cmccool

Hey Peter If you can find someone who can weld bronze and not charge an arm and a leg, you can add onto your existing rudders and have oversized rudders for much less money. That is the route I went. Add 1" or 2" to the bottom and back and you are good to go. One of the guys on the old B28 board kne...

cmccool

Just when I get a little bit of confidence built up about walking down to my boat, the name calling starts again.

I don't think she's that bad!!

The best part is that the fish love her.

Cliff

cmccool

Hi Bob If you do a search on Bertram31.com for "Ryan 16x16" you will find a 3 year old thread about 350s in the 31s. Ryan has a pair of 5000 rpm engines turning 16x16 props. Most of the B28s with 260hp Mercruisers came with 17x17 props turning to 4400 rpm. I would be tempted to re-pitch yours to 18x...

cmccool

When it is applied, you develop a routine and the texture varies based upon how much you roll it.

You might want to purchase a quart and test it out on some plywood. See if you can get a texture that is acceptable to you.

Cliff

cmccool

Hi Carl I used the Kiwi Grip and it was awesome. Easy to put on and easy to clean up the mess. Practice with the rollers until you get the texture you want and then just go for it. It is quite thick so it covers a multitude of sins in your existing deck - especially important if you have done any le...

cmccool

I went with one of the Chinese jobs. 7kw diesel for around $800 - cheap money and worth every penny. They call some of them "silent" models - but they are a long way from quiet. I have mine in a small insulated shed which makes it ok unless you are standing near the exhaust. I have a trickle charger...

cmccool

I assume these are for your 28.

What transmissions do the new engines have? Are they down angle and if so, how much.

Cliff

cmccool

Thanks guys I don't think I am too far off with the 17x15 but unfortunately, with the one engine underperforming by 300rpm, I don't really know where I am and to add insult to injury, I dinged one of my props when I pulled the boat. Having to send a prop in to get redone when I know it is the wrong ...

cmccool

Hi guys I repowered my B28 last year with new 5.7l Mercruisers rated at 5000rpm WOT running 1.5 gears. Unfortunately, one of my engines was 300rpm off the other at WOT so this winter I got a replacement under warranty. The down side is that my propeller testing was a waste of time because one of the...

cmccool

Hi Giff I have one of those Garmin GPSMAP 76S units and I love it for a backup. Because the mapping comes on a CD, if I am going on a trip somewhere new in the boat, I usually just take the 76S home and generate my waypoints on my laptop and then download the route to the 76S. I then use the 76S as ...

cmccool

Giff

Package went out today - 7 - 9 days for delivery, so you should get it shortly after the holidays. I would rather you put it to work than have it gathering dust on one of my shelves.

Merry Christmas.

Cliff

cmccool

Giff I had a couple of Nortons in my past life. I have an original Norton workshop manual in great shape, published in 1973 and covers all 750/850 Commandos from 1970 and on. If that is something you could use, shoot me your postal address and I will send it off. For the record, Nortons are great bu...

cmccool

An Atlantic Towers top comes in around 100lbs and gives you a place to mount radar, antennas etc. The 60lbs or so extra weight over a wet canvas top will add somewhat to your roll but is well worth it for the convenience. If you have the original bench seat up on the flybridge, I highly recommend yo...

cmccool

What are you planning on using for props, Paul?

I repowered with 5000rpm 300hp Mercruisers and took some bad advice re props. I am seriously overpropped with my cupped 17x17s.

I just had my spare set redone at 17x15 and hopefully these will run up to 5000rpm.

Cliff

cmccool

Thanks for all the kind words - I really do appreciate it. Matt - attached are a couple of photos of starboard side. I just continued my panel until it was just beyond the fuel filler hose. The port side went the same distance so they matched. Because of the way my seat bases are attached, I had to ...

cmccool

I thought I would share some photos of my B28 flybridge to express conversion - still a work in progress but needed to go fishing. As I have arthritis in my hip and the doctor says no to climbing stairs, I decided to remove my flybridge - the bonus is that an express is a much better fishing platfor...

cmccool

I just finished redoing mine without panels on the portion aft of the step in the cockpit - haven't taken photos yet. I used KiwiGrip non-skid on my decks and continued it up the sides - looks great and the KiwiGrip covers the imperfection on the sides really well. I didn't fair the sides at all. If...

cmccool

I did mine a bit different from Ernest, but the result was the same - I wanted a flat deck without any of those tripping hazzards. My method: - Remove all your hatches; - Take an angle grinder and cut at a 45 degree angle through the cabin bulkhead and the top of your gutter - you will be able to ke...

cmccool

Good call Brewster. You are 100% right. I am hooking up a hailer to my VHF to use as a fog horn so I hadn't thought about that. I would definitely not use an electronic horn as a fog horn. The first question that comes to everybody's mind when they hear my "horn" is, "what is that?" That is not a qu...

cmccool

Steve I went through the same thought process as you except that you are a bit smarter and asked the question. I just assumed they would sound like a horn but that was a bad assumption. I have a pair of electronic horns mounted on my 28 and they sound like a loud warning buzzer - not horn like at al...

cmccool

The problem with the lower helm station in the flybridge boats is that you have to be anorexic to use it. Not very comfortable for me at 250 pounds but I certainly agree that it has value. Would not want to remove it from my boat. Due to hip arthritis, I am converting my 28 flybridge to an express a...

cmccool

Hi Bill There is no wood in your transom. I drilled a hole at the low point of the transom for a drain plug, so can attest to that first hand. Your bilge pump may be sitting on some wood but that is not a structural issue. If the water is draining somewhere, you should try to figure out where. Perha...

cmccool

Hi Paul I am going through the same thing right now with my 1972 B28 so I will throw my 2 cents in. The cheapest way to go is to replace your 1980s with either rebuilt, reman'ed or new 1980s style engines - depending upon budget. There are quite a few places out there where you can get them - best b...

cmccool

I have a pair of monel tanks on center line under my cabin sole totaling 45 gallons but they certainly aren't stock. Previous owner had to butcher the sole to get them in.

I have never heard of factory tanks forward - you would have to do significant surgery to replace them.

Cliff

cmccool

I beefed up my transom in preparation for a kicker as well. My research indicated that the smallest outboard suitable is a 9.9 Yamaha high thrust with extra long shaft. A smaller outboard may very well push the boat but you will have no steering control in winds or cross seas. The 9.9 also has the b...

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Re: Seeking Advice: Props for B28 w/ 350s

Re: Repower B28 Questions

Re: Composite windshield corners

Re: A Holy Crap B31

Bertram 28 prop pitch

B28 flybridge to express conversion