bertram31.com

Pete Fallon

Bruce, I'll call you about the vent system they put in for breaking suction at the transom. Cabin was locked on the Bertram when I was there on Thursday, more than likely a leak from around fixed side window or from the aft window in the head. It rained sideways and wind gusted to 70 mph here early ...

Pete Fallon

Guy's, I agree with your posts on Plastic fittings, I don't use them on my boat and the boats that I used to build. Plastic is affected by Ultra Voilet rays, oils and harsh bilge cleaners. Marelon has its place, but I'm from the old school, if you can't hit it hard, heat it with a torch without bend...

Pete Fallon

Guy's, Giff asked about Marelon sea cocks, they are accepted for use as sea cocks as long as the are stamped Marelon, ( spelling has to be correct, and properly stamped as Marelon, not Marlon, Marleon, etc.) they are used mainly in sail boats to keep down weight and don't need to be bonded. Never us...

Pete Fallon

Guy's, In can't say anything bad about the original 31 Jupiter's and I,ve never been on the 34. I almost bought the company before Carl Herndon's group did. I ran the factory fishing team boat with my friend Howie Blitstein from 95 to 99, we were charter members of the SKA tournment series, used to ...

Pete Fallon

Luis, Your 1969 express hull number 897 is consistant with Bertram numbering system, I looked back in my survey report records, 1961 Express Vizcaya 12-13-61 on glassed in plate under port V berth, my own boat. Hull # 186 1962 Express Coastal Hull # 222 1963 Express Finest Kind Hull # 333 1966 Expre...

Pete Fallon

Rawleigh, They were on the boat when I got it 30 years ago( 12-13-61 1961 hull#186 on tag under V berth). I got the boat with 400 hours on meters. I talked to some of the older bertram factory guys when I first got the boat, their explaination was that on the early Bertrams with the longer 1-1/4 sha...

Pete Fallon

Boat is in Indiantown, I moved to Stuart last year, 36K firm.

Pete Fallon

Harry, My 1961 Express measurements. I measured my struts today 9-1/2'' from bottom of the boat to center of shaft, 12 degree angle. Had my struts cast at Buck Algoquin in 1995(850 for the pair). The rudder flanges are 2" in from the transom, rudders are original cast bronze from 1961(18" from flang...

Pete Fallon

Harry, I did you change the shaft angle on your express,(most older express gasers had low profile struts, 9" to middle of the shaft and intermedate strut bearings just aft of the shaft logs along with 1-1/4 shafts). Just gathering info, thinking of putting 240 Styres in my 1961, if I do it I won't ...

Pete Fallon

Guy's I was at A&J Boat Yard in Stuart this afternoon, saw a 1962 Express (Hull 222 3-27-62). This is a real project, no engines, no cockpit sole, all orginal interior what's left of it, window frames bad, someone started to strip the hull sides and botton, grey primer on the hull. Has a 1/2 tower b...

Pete Fallon

I went thru about 10 of my 20 plus surveys done on 31 Bertrams. Documented boats only 3 of 10, the rest were state registrations.
Gross tons 9, Net tons 6, were the numbers I had taken from documentation certificates on all three.

Pete Fallon

Craig, If your talking about the 31 on Rocky Point opposite Sailfish Marina(across from Sand Sprit Park) I don't know who owns it, never seen it off of it's lift. Been there for at least 10 years. If your in the area again give me a call (561-310-7179 cell). Bruce that guy makes you look like a Mass...

Pete Fallon

Craig, The boat you saw in Port Salerno was orginally from the other coast of Florida, It sank during one of the hurricanes, been sitting for a couple of years. It's got a pair of 370 hp Yanmars and they added a bubble(step in hull) so the engines would fit in the boxes. It was reciently sold to a g...

Pete Fallon

The transom panel is held in place on both port and starboard sides with an L shaped oak backing board( side panels screwed into also), remove all the screws into this board( backing board usually falls right off) and then lift the entire panel straight upward then pull toward you . The teak on the ...

Pete Fallon

The boat is at the Hinkley Yard(Old David Lowes) in the back lot on Rocky Point, it's been there for a few months, saw it before Christmas. Still looks good from the outside of the fence. Also saw a 31 Sportfish named Triple Retail (Rockport, Conn hailing port) at AJ Marine in the Manatee pocket, to...

Pete Fallon

Dave, The early 31 hulls do have different bottom strake patterns and more upsweep at the bow chines than the later models. My 1961 express hull # 186 was sitting next to a 1973 fly bridge cruiser in the boat yard in Riveria Beach, Florida. Capt Patrick and I noticed the difference in designs, we me...

Pete Fallon

Harry& Dug, My 1961 express rudder packing never gave me any problems, regular flax packing, no upper bearings, just hex nut threaded to the top of the rudder tube, inverted U shaped stainless upper support flange bolted to rudder table supports. On the bottom where rudder post passes thru the tube ...

Pete Fallon

I had one also, got it after a tour of the production line in Miami back in 1986, promo pin for the 25th anniversary of production, hat and pin are both at the bottom of Stellwagon Bank along with lots of empty beer cans and tons of chum but the boat is still going strong after 46 years.

Pete Fallon

I removed the old aluminum rub rail today, been on the boat since 1961 (46 years). Sprayed CX on the thru bolts at the anchor locker in the bow and other places at transom yesterday, nuts came of with no problem. CX saves lots of time and busted knuckes in tight spaces. Anyone with a old original ru...

Pete Fallon

Harry,
I sent you a private message on shaft angles.

Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

My condolances to Dave's family, he will be missed by all of the faithfull sandbox members, his wit and wisdom will be missed but not forgotten.

Pete Fallon

Sandygold, I had a similar problem a few years ago on my 31. Turned out to be the marinas under the dock 110v wiring in contact with a piece of rebar on a piling feeding current into the water, only affected the prop nearest to the dock wiring. I've surveyed other boats that had similar problems, on...

Pete Fallon

I won't make the show this year, only 2nd time in 30 years I've missed it. Have to be in San Diego for SAMS Surveyors National Meeting from October 23 to 27. Going to be staying on Shelter Island( Kona Kai Resort) from Tuesday afternoon to Saturday noon, any 31 owners near by?, going to miss the amb...

Pete Fallon

My hull number is 186 Dated 12-13-61 The glassed over paper tag with Bertram eagle is still in perfect condition up under the port V-berth (186-101=85) maybe one or two more boats layed -up that year, before Christmas and New Year short work weeks.

Pete Fallon

UV, I've seen all kinds of stuff used, the thin black rubber material( about the thickness of an old bike tire inner tube) seems to last the longest. I can't remember where I got the material, might even of used an inner tube. I've seen it applied with contact cement, stainless steel staples, copper...

Pete Fallon

After 457 views on the board, not one call on the boat. I know its a bad time to sell now, but she got to go. Somebody out there has to want an original 31 even if its a gas express. It wouldn't be out of reality to make it into a fly bridge model. I think Caberra makes one. Hell, if Thudd can make ...

Pete Fallon

After talking to agents at the past 4 major boat shows, there seems to be only 2 companies writing insurance on older boats in the U.S., TL Dallas(U.K.) and Boat/US. They require a complete survey. Most other insurance companies will not write on anything over 10 years old. Maybe we should start our...

Pete Fallon

Joe, Didn't have time to visit with Timmy while I was in Salem, in and out of Boston 3 times in 4 days. I'm back in Stuart now. I need to find the boat a good home, knee problems won't go away, after 11 operations including 2 replacements, I now have tendon damage in that knee. Too many tournements ...

Pete Fallon

To the faithful, The boat has to be sold, due to consant knee problems, work and supporting aging mother I don't see using the boat for a long time. There's nothing worse than letting a boat sit idle. The first offer of $36,000 takes her away. This price is as is, where is, at Indiantown Marina west...

Pete Fallon

Timmy, The generic oxy didn't work for me either Get the real stuff, it might set you back more money but it really works. The voice of experence speaking. I've off to Boston tonight, have appointments at Mass General tomorrow to see what they can do with the knee problem, after 11 times of cutting ...

Pete Fallon

Mike,
I talked with the guys from Lee's at the Palm Beach Boat Show, they said that the center rigger is standard 1-1/4" outside pipe aluminum tube.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

To the Faithful, I've got a source for the possible manufacturing of fiberglass replacement parts for our old boats in the West Palm Beach area. Details still have to be worked out, but I haven't finalized anything yet. Looking for input and demand from you guys. Parts list to include the following ...

Pete Fallon

Speedy recovery Walt, hope everthing goes well. I fly to Boston April 3 to see what they can do with my knee, after 11 operations in the past 29 years of trying to fix it, maybe they can finally get it right this time.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Walter, I've already had 2 replacements on the right knee once 1999, that lasted 5 years( bone and implant collapse) and another in 2005, total rotating platform replacement with extra long implant. This time I tore the patellar tendon and one of the 2 remaining ligaments I have left. I'm running ou...

Pete Fallon

Mike, I'm in the area all the time, if you want me to take a look, like Bruce N/C. I've surveyed over 20 31's in the past 5 years. I've had a 1961 Express for 29 years and know these boats inside and out. Guys I need to sell mine, with more knee problems and work load the boat don't get used. Any re...

Pete Fallon

Jim, The head compatment on my 31 is 39"x37 1/2" outside, from aft bulkhead to the galley countertop. With the head sink and vanity the useable interior space is 34 1/2"x 25 3/4". I installed a Galley Maid electric flush toilet with built-in macerator unit, wiring is 12 volt and intake and discharge...

Pete Fallon

Jim, I was Cabrera's Shop last week, doing a survey on Jerry Santiago's 31 FBC redo, which is almost completed. If you don't speak Spanish it's pretty hard to comunicate, but they are very nice people. They do mostly glass work and sub out the electric and engines. The contact number I have is for R...

Pete Fallon

I had mine made of gel coated 3/8" core mat with chop strand fiberglass, easy to keep clean. Just remember that the transom panel is about 102" wide, one piece no seams, side panels are just under 98" depending on engine box lenghts. Measure twice and then cut!

Pete Fallon

That's an express cruiser, not a Bahia Mar. Thud here's your opening to get a boat that goes more than 15 knots. When are you going to start charging tourists for that road side attraction on route 1?

Pete Fallon

Walter,
We are getting as bad as our old boats, repowering our bodies, I think I will invest in titanium stocks. Good luck with the replacement, been there both with my boat and my body.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Joe, Find out what type of implant he wants to use, I have a full rotation platform knee made by Johnson&Johnson. It was extra length because of all the bone loss due to 10 previous surguries,arthritis and a failed partial implant. My surgeon is Dr. John Siliski at Mass General, one of the best. Be ...

Pete Fallon

Mikey, I know what your going through. Don't rush the recovery, after 10 operations since 1978 I had my right knee totally replaced in August of 2005, 5 1/2 hours on the table. Had to have extra length implant special built by Dupuis (J&J) after 5 year old partial implant broke( late 2004) and took ...

Pete Fallon

Bruce, I've got your hat from Sid, I'll drop it off when my other car gets here. Most of the boats were butt ugly but the silicon women made up for the lack of boat designer taste. The puke was still there Sunday aftenoon, the flop house still keeps it's minus 4 star rating, despite the reservation ...

Pete Fallon

Paul, If you know anyone that can lay-up white gel coated 3/8" core mat 4'x8' panels, thats what I used for my headliner and cockpit panels. They will never rot, high gloss finish and you only have to do them once. Just remember that the center transom panel is over 100". Stop by Dion's in Salem and...

Pete Fallon

Mike,
Congrats on your retirement, now enjoy yourself, are you going to be at Lauderdale show.

Pete Fallon

JohnV8er, They put the formica over the screws that go thru the bulkhead from the outside of the head and filled the holes with surfacing putty. If you really want to get those trim pieces off, get a heat gun and a real sharp edged large putty knife, work under the leading edge very carefully and pl...

Pete Fallon

Bruce, Thanks again for going to Jax, my client got an eduction, you and I got paid and the broker got an earfull. I didn't get back to Boston until 12:45 AM, 3 hour flight with 5 hours of airline equipment and weather delays. 14 hours of total billable travel time for 2 hours of work on a vessel th...

Pete Fallon

nic, Here are a few Hull numbers of 31's that I've surveyed in the past. 1961 Express- Vizcaya( my boat) Hull 186 Built 12-13-61 1963 Express -Finest Kind Ed Murray Hull 31-333 1963 Sport Fish- Kahuna Russ P Hull 31-355 I've have at least 15 more but my records are on the other computer in Fl. and I...

Pete Fallon

I'm still in Salem, I"ll stop by over the weekend, went by last Sunday nobody around.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

I'm still in Salem, I"ll stop by over the weekend, went by last Sunday nobody around.
Pete Fallon

bertram31.com

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Project 31 Express and mean a real project

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1961 Express Must Sell ASAP

Manufacturing of 31 Parts

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Hello Pete Fallon

Hello Pete Fallon