bertram31.com

Pete Fallon

Faithful, The boat looks beautiful until you get to the transom. 2- 825 pound Rice burners attached to the transom just doesn't work for me, call me a purest but it can't stand the look. Why anyone would add 3 feet of iron to the rear of the boat making it cost 3 additional feet for storage/slippage...

Pete Fallon

Yannis, If I were you and the headliner is/ was in the process of coming down away I would re-fasten all the fittings on the forward deck, over the years they will have loosened up and the bedding compound will more than likely dried out. If you don't do it, they will leak for sure and you will be k...

Pete Fallon

Rocket, I don't think it's a Hunt design boat, the transom dead rise is not deep enough, more of a modified V hull to me. Like Capt. Pat said keep looking. Sort of looks like a 21' Well Craft to me. Also looks like she's got some water in the core at the transom (dis-colorization near the old transd...

Pete Fallon

Yannis, You asked about re-doing the V berth sides, you have to remove all the old glue and pieces of rug, if you want to paint the hull sides. It has to be faired and sanded smooth to look good. Think about re covering it instead. When I redid my 31 hull v berth sides I used Acetone and MEK, to get...

Pete Fallon

Spencer, When your looking to repower remember that the new 4 stroke engines are a lot heavier than the older 2 stroke 225's. A Yamaha 350 comes in around 825 pounds compared to 575 for the old 225 Merc's. So the weight is a major concern when buying new power plants. 250 pounds per side is like put...

Pete Fallon

Derek, What year is your express? Mine was 1961 hull number 85. Back in the early days of production Bertram applied between 21& 23 Mils of gel coat over the fiberglass boat cloth. Today the standard is between 19 and 21 mils the gel doesn't spider crack as much with thinner layers of gel coat. If y...

Pete Fallon

Bruce,
Enjoy your trip and watch out for the crazy Italian drivers, enjoy I'll talk to you when you get back. I am in Peabody now. I still have to gpo back to Stuart to pick up some stuff that I couldn't fit into the truck 2 weeks ago.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Giiff,
Try your local large plumbing supply house, I had the stand-offs two 3/4" x 8" chrome brass pipes, threaded at both ends made for far less than what Lee's wanted for the same part.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Faithful, Never forget that morning and the aftermath for months afterward. Should have nuked the entire area from the Med to the Indian Ocean back in 2001, we wouldn't be having the problems were having now, plus you can still burn the oil even if it is radio active. I saw a great documentary on HB...

Pete Fallon

Bruce, Our friend in the islands is trying to get in touch with you, I lost your tel number and your e-mail after the I4s phone took a dump during a download. When you get a chance e-mail me or call me at 561-310-7179 tomorrow afternoon. Mike M needs some work done on the 34 Mainship, smoking Yanmar...

Pete Fallon

Harry, Thanks for the reply, our organization (SAMS) has a pretty high standard of ethics, if you don't know what your doing you don't get to join and must have many years of experience in the marine industry. A good surveyor is worth every penny that you spend and will save you thousands in the lon...

Pete Fallon

Giff, Just remember that it cannot be used on a painted bottom, the metal in the anti- fouling paint throws the readings off completely. The Group 33 meter comes with a calibration plate and carry case. I have had mine for 13 years and only sent it back to the factory once for repairs after I droppe...

Pete Fallon

IRGUY,
Carl,
Make sure they don't use a Depuy knee implant I have had 3 of them and they are terrible they all loosened or broke within 4 years . Go with a Striker or Bio Med joint. Good luck I have Dr Appointment with revision specialist at MGH on the 13 th
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Robert, Welcome aboard, the last of the Silver Anniversary issue Bertram 31's were made in 1986, they only built 22 that I know of. After that the molds were destroyed by running them over in the parking lot of the factory. Check the HIN number on the transom it will tell you the month and year of p...

Pete Fallon

Giff, The moisture meters range greatly in price, the one I use is a JR Overseas Group 33 Moisture Meter it runs around $400.00 Others can go up to $500-$1000. If the bottom is already painted the one that I use will not work, the metals in the bottom paint throw the meter off. I suggest you get a s...

Pete Fallon

Marlin, I went to a ortho doctor in Portsmouth NH on the14of August, he was at Mass General for many years he got sick of the rat race of Boston and moved over the boarder 15 miles. He did a through exam and was the first ortho guy to suggest that the nerves were the major problem and that the impla...

Pete Fallon

Faithful, Good and bad news. I spent the last week going to specialists at Mass General, Portsmouth Regional and Valley Medical Center in New Hampshire, The doctor at Mass General still thinks it is loose and wants to replace it with another implant of a different brand, Six to 8 months recovery if ...

Pete Fallon

Bruce, Nice looking iron what is that going into? I am back in Florida for the long weekend, Going to drive back in a Budget rental Truck with furniture and stuff, leaving either Tuesday or Wednesday. Give me a call or stop by over the weekend I'll be loading the truck. Did you get in touch with Mik...

Pete Fallon

Spencer, I would go with twin 4 stroke Suziki's in the 150 to 175 range. My brother in law has a single 250 Suziki on a heavy wet 23' Boston Whaler Conquest walk around with a 1/2 tower. J have to look at the tach to see if it running it's so quite, good fuel burn and good hole shot, no smoke uses i...

Pete Fallon

CaptBone, Watch the transom for rot, some of the models had plywood encapsulated in Glass, others had ceramic coring near the end of the production in the 90's. Also decks were cored with plywood and center console had lifting of the cockpit sole on some models. Huffnagle made a good boat in the 80'...

Pete Fallon

Dug,
You have to train that dog to spot channel markers in the dark, a FLIR set up or get some new glasses. Glad nobody got hurt, just your pride.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

JohnVyn, When the tank is in place after the dry fitting, used a couple of wooden or a pvc cleats on either side a couple near the front and acouple near the rear along the long sides of the tank. There shouldn't be enoough foam undr the tank to make it move with the cleats installed. Make sure to u...

Pete Fallon

GregA,
Thanks for the offer, I am familar with your area my wife bought a horse in Salem NJ years ago, prettyy area. Navatech, got your PM and e-mail.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Navatech, E, I've had a change in plans for the trip to New England, I am still flying back to Florida next Wednesday morning, but I will not be leaving Florida until after the Labor Day weekend, either Tuesday or Wednesday to leave Florida. Don't feel that you have to commit to the trip, I am going...

Pete Fallon

Russ,
I don't have my SAMS book with me right now, check the SAMS web site, I don't know anyone in that area that I can recommend. Maybe Tommy Drake or Jimmy Bailey might know a good surveyor in that neck of the woods.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

JohnVyn, To remove the old tank great some # 19 Malin fishin wire make a wooden handle for each end, remove the aft wood bulkhead behind the tank. Get a cross cut saw with a blade about 3' long, remove all the deck supports and anything else that is along side the tanks. Use the cross cut saw to cut...

Pete Fallon

Bertram20, They make a 2 part epoxy (coal tar coating) that is widely used in the boat building industry, also if your foaming it in place make sure you use the 4 pound density foam not the 2 pound stuff, the 4 pound doesn't allow as much water intrusion into the foam and between the stringers and t...

Pete Fallon

Dan Casey, I would check with Bob Gallahger at Port Marine in Beverly, I think he's still in business, about rebuilding Chryslers. He is on of the best engine surveyors and mechanics around. I had the 440's in my 31 express for 7 years and they were a constant problem, they were always giving me ign...

Pete Fallon

DCasey, Sounds like the rings are shot, I had 440's years ago nothing but head ache's, hard to find parts since Chrysler stopped making marine engines in 1986. Try Mack Boring in Rocky Hill, Conn. for parts. Also check for blocked oil passages on head and block and other thing to check is your raw w...

Pete Fallon

Harry, There are only 2 guys in the area that the boat is located at in Winter Haven, the first surveyor is Paul Murphey he has only been an AMS since 2011 his number is 407-758-6593 he is in Winter Garden Fl. The other is Ron Smith in Orlando 309-696-3241 he's been around since 1997. Give them a ca...

Pete Fallon

Harry,
I'll get back to you later this afternoon on which surveyor to call I've got to make a ew calls to see who wants to do the job.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Harry, I just got the computer hooked up this afternoon. Where exactly is ther boat located, I have contacts on both coasts, I need to get a location so I can put you in touch with the right one. The trip was pretty un-eventful, we were about 6 hours ahead of the torrential rains that got Long Islan...

Pete Fallon

Navatech It is a 5.8 KW household style air cooled generator, it has a 120/240 outlet, 2-20 amp outlets,1-120/240 outlet,2-30 amp outlets and outlet for a 20 amp battery charger , electric key start or pull cord starting. It holds 5.5 gallons of gas that will run for 6 hours on a full tank. I have i...

Pete Fallon

Bob.
I sold my express with 454 Mercruisers with only 250 hours. For less than that and everything was completely redone and the hull was re gel coated and the bottom only had 2 coats of bottom paint since 1999. Not a good time to sell anything houses,boats or art works.
Pete fallon

Pete Fallon

Mike,
What model is the Penn reel that your having trouble with? I have a bunch of spare Penn reels in the garage.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Faithful, Another change in plans, I am leaving this noon time for Massachusetts, going on I-95,NJTP,GSP to 84 all the way, the wife and I are driving together in the Cadiilac SRX together with 2 cats, I need to be there on Wednesday morning. The new plan is I am flying back down on the 27th of Augu...

Pete Fallon

Bruce, Along with British speedo sailors another thing that should be banned from any ones view is a 350 pound woman with in black two piece bathing suit with enough cellulite on the back of her thighs to start a cottage cheese boycott. I tried to get my I phone to take a picture but it refused, I s...

Pete Fallon

Mark S, I'm glad you had a good trip back from the Keys, a pretty uneventful trip if that's all that happened. Take your time and enjoy the refitting now that you've got her back home. It's going to be a lot easier to work on it without having to get on a plane and then drive an hour or so to get to...

Pete Fallon

SteveM, I read that article when it first came out in 1960 , I was a freshman in Salem High School. I had met both Dick Bertram and Ray Hunt Sr. in 1958 while the Nefertiti at 12 meter challenger for the America's Cup was being built at Graves Upper Yard in Marblehead. At that time Dick Bertram was ...

Pete Fallon

Keith, I hate to say it but that old unit looks like it's seen it's last blast of cold air, I wouldn't waste too much time or any money on it, time for a new or used unit. Mermaid Air is made here in Stuart a small compact unit that doesn't cost 2 arms and a leg. Marine air is also made in the Metro...

Pete Fallon

Harry, Math wasn't one of my favorite things, I guess I spent too much time trying not to get my knuckles whacked by the nuns and not enough attention to the math questions. It's only been 44 years. Check out my wife's web page: www.marilynfallonfine art.com. My old boat is leaving for the Virgin Is...

Pete Fallon

Harry, Congratulations on 42 years with your lovely wife. I am coming up on 45 years with the same woman, we got married in October of 1970. Sounds like we have the same type girls, no interest in boats, gets sea sick over 2', she's an artist that specializes horses and other animals. No kids just c...

Pete Fallon

wlbsr,
Try Buck Algonquin in Michigan for bronze struts, or Bobby Soles Propeller Shop in West Palm Beach for stainless steel, Bobby Soles make the oversized rudders for Capt Pat and I have had Buck cast me new struts back in the mid 90's.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Cam B25 and Tony, I am going to take Tom Oakes' route, Cam I priced the 16' x 7' x 7' ,Pod they wanted $2750.00 for the trip from Stuart to Peabody Ma. Even with the Budget rental truck and an car trailer it's less than $1,000. plus fuel and tolls. No way near the Pod price, also I got a quote from ...

Pete Fallon

Tom Oakes, Thanks you, I knew someone from the board would know the correct way to go. I wish I could stop in to see you and your operation but I am going to be running on a very tight schedule. The guy's at Chapman's said to say hello to you, I was in there the other day. They expanded the store to...

Pete Fallon

Steve. I find that the trip between Sanford Fl. and Lorton Va. is the easiest part of the trip, it's straight shot on I-95. Plus it takes them 18 to 20 hours on the auto train, plus wait time on either end for loading and unloading. I have driven it 4 years ago in 15 hours to Edgewater, MD which is ...

Pete Fallon

SteveM & Marlin, On the subject of standing and blocking, here is a first had knowledge case. I had a an acquaintance that had his 40' something trawler up North a few years ago, that winter was a very heavy snow fall season. Needless to say the yard did not block the vessel correctly and the snow w...

Pete Fallon

Steve, The way they have it looks good ,just make sure the chain is in the notches, like Marlin and IR said the heavy wind can make a boat dance around, especially on cement pads. Also the subject of ventilation you could add a small wind turbine to keep the air moving so you don't end up with mold....

Pete Fallon

Faithful, It is official I am now completely boat less as of 3:30 PM this after noon. The trucker came to Indiantown Marina at 12:30 PM and I followed him to the Port of Palm Beach 33 miles , he was a little concerned about the trailer being too small but after loading it on a12,500 pound triple axl...

Pete Fallon

Peter P, The trip without towing or using a truck usually takes me 2 days, Driving either of the Cadillac's is not very hard on the body. The last time I drove it in 2009 it took me 25 hours of total driving time. I drove from Stuart to Edgewater MD on I-95 in 14-1/2 hours then to Salem in 8-1/2 hou...

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