bertram31.com

Pete Fallon

Gert, Looks like a case of water intrusion at the hull side level under the gunwale cap rail, not enough drainage and air circulation behind cockpit side panels, water just sits in the joints and rots the boards away from the inside. I remember when they first introduced that boat in the early 80's ...

Pete Fallon

White Bear, Your almost as old as I am, when I was a kid my grandfather knew the guy that owned the building at the corner of Park Drive and Beacon St,we used to park for free out back and walk to Fenway. Do you remember the Boston Tea Party Night Club in the Back Bay, I saw Eric Clapton play there ...

Pete Fallon

Faithful, Hopefully all it will take is one more game on Wednesday night, Big Pappi has to give another pep talk in the dug out and no more BS calls from the Umps. Time to think about next years line-up need some more big bats especially in the Shortstop position, Even with my knee problems I could ...

Pete Fallon

Peter, The majority of the gas 31's that I have surveyed have had 17" x 19 pitch 3 bladed nibral props, The 31's with 315 Yanmars have had 20"x 21 or 20" x 23 4 bladed nibral dyna quad props. On my boat an express I run 1997 454 TBFI (Throttle Bodied Fuel Injected) with 1:5:1 Hurth 8 degree down ang...

Pete Fallon

Faithful, Anyone going to the FT Lauderdale Boat Show this weekend, I'm on crutches full time so it's not going to be easy, I am up in the air about going unless they rent those handicapped scooters to get around. On second thought I would rather stay home and watch some baseball. I sure miss UV and...

Pete Fallon

IRGUY, Sitting on the sea wall at Reveaah Beach eating a Kelly's Big Beef and drinking a Bud, watching the moon rise, Boston Light in the background and the bimbo's from Easta Boston walking around trying to keep their make up from melting off their faces and their boobs from sagging to their knees....

Pete Fallon

BOSTON RED SOX WICKED PISSER
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

JimmyG, The backing plate at the strut looks like it was original (Green Glass), the rudder post backing (clear glass) with plywood showing thru looks like it might have been redone. Like Capt Pat said, sound with a phenolic hammer or get a hold of a moisture meter to see if there is any water intru...

Pete Fallon

It's not a 31 Bertram chock, might be a Chris Craft but definitely not a 31 part.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Thanks guys, you have to have some type of humor or we all would be dead. It just pisses me off that the big medical companies can get away with putting crap on the market. The plastic that was used as a spacer between the metal is basically recycled milk bottles, poly ethylene plastic, the newer st...

Pete Fallon

Rawleigh, I have factory installed TBI system in my 31 I installed them in late 1997 Big block 454 7.4 L Mercruisers with FWC and 8 degree Hurth down angle trannies. The reason I went with the TBI system was that the big blocks were boiling the fuel before it got to the injectors(MPI) They run stron...

Pete Fallon

Bob H, Bob the thing that gets me is I've been telling the doctors for two years that the knee is loose, they just wouldn't listen. Finally I insisted on another MRI (have one done in August of 2010 8 months after the knee was installed, they couldn't see anything wrong). Now that the latest MRI sho...

Pete Fallon

Tommy,
Nice catch, I know what it's like in your neighborhood skinny water great for outboards that can be trimmed up. Catch more exotic fish global warming?
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Russ, I used Rule pumps for years then they went to crap like everything else the corporate bean counters get there hands on. I switched to Johnson Brand pumps, 2200 GPH with 3/4" or 1" discharge hose. I also like the Ultma float switches much better than the Rule lever float switch that burns out i...

Pete Fallon

Mike O, Going to go a different route Massachusetts General Hospital and a Boston law firm. Going back to where it all started on February 5th 1978. Its hard to believe that I have been dealing with this problem for 35 years. Maybe I can get rid of the knee problem as well as the boat, I've had them...

Pete Fallon

Faithful, I was in Ft Lauderdale at doctors office most of the evening, the results of the MRI showed not good news. The femoral (top part) is loose by 1 centimeter up and down weight bearing and the (bottom part)Tibia is loose 1.5 centimeter side to side and 2to 3 millimeters up and down. I have to...

Pete Fallon

Faithful, I just got back from the Ortho doctor in FT Lauderdale, not good news. The 3rd knee that has been in since 2010 is shot. MRI results: Femoral component is loose 1 centimeter (top part), bottom part (tibial) is loose 2to 3 millimeters front to back and 1.5 centimeters left to right. Have to...

Pete Fallon

Keith, If your using the old fiberglass OEM Bertram tank, the sender with the arm might not work, because the float ball may be hitting the internal baffles on the tank. You need to have a worm style sender or electric Lorvorissi or Isapro (spelling) sender. I use a 3 wire Lorvorissi sender with the...

Pete Fallon

Bruce, I store mine on a rack that I have had for years vertical with butts down and they are supported half way up by a cross member. If the line is more than 2 years old strip it off the reels and thoroughly clean and spray them down with corrosion X. I keep mine in the corner of the garage away f...

Pete Fallon

Navatech, I talked to Adolph today he has nothing at this time but is going to call a guy in Miami that might have something. He will let me know the first of the week. Adolph had 3 15KW both with bad front ends and not worth playing with. I'll let you know. You talk about boats and millionaires, I ...

Pete Fallon

Navatech,
I have to go to Shearwater Marine tomorrow I will ask Adolph if he's got any used gen sets around(13.5 to 20Kw). Sounds like that boat is getting more and more costly every time you go to do something.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

JimmyG, If you want to go fast put in a set of Mercruiser 7.4L BlueWater Throttle Bodied Fuel Injected Engines. I didn't want diesel smell in my 1961 Express Cruiser cockpit, I did a lot of low speed trolling for Giant Tuna up North and Sailfish down here in Florida. The station wagon effect at low ...

Pete Fallon

John S, You should check with Dr.Jerry, owner of Zero Cavity he bought a brand new triple axel aluminum bunk trailer when he redid his 31, I can't remember but I think it was a 15K or 18K unit that fit the boat perfectly, also check with Capt. Pat I think he bought a trailer for John Hancock's redo....

Pete Fallon

MarkS,
I am not sure how they did the 25 numbering but the models run just like the 31's, FBC Sport fish, Bahia Mar and Express, I have never seen a 25 sedan.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

My other East, The 315 is the model number 315 fbc, 314 sport fish 313 Bahia Mar, 312 Sedan 316 Express. If the boat is a 1974 there is a HIN number on the starboard transom, all vessels made after Nov 1, 1972 have to have a HIN somewhere near the starboard transom area, either embossed into the hul...

Pete Fallon

Rest in peace my friend, my condolences to Diaz and the rest of Walter's family, I will really miss him.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Ken M, Look at the hoses coming off the sea water pump they are 1-1/2" hoses, they run aft to the oil cooler, on the 7.4 l 454 engines they are usually just above the transmissions they are about 2" around with 2 black hose oil lines with metal fittings coming off of them. They are about 12" long wi...

Pete Fallon

John V8er
I've seen them in Worst Marine,BOW any marine mail order house should have them.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Spencer,
The widest point on a 31 Bertram is just forward of the house deck joint break or in line with the front of your engine box at the bulkhead . It should be 11'4" at that spot.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Mikey
I haven't been able to get over to look at the 31 on the lift here in Stuart, knee is real bad. The set-up that Kevin and Russ P have seems the right way to do the lift. Sorry I couldn't help you going for MRI Friday morning they drained and injected pain killers into it yesterday.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

IR GUY, Why don't you have the fuel polished there must be someone in your area that cleans fuel systems, make sure they run it thru at least 2 times and just make sure that you have a bunch of clean filters handy after your polishing is done and when you get ready to start using the boat again. I w...

Pete Fallon

C Hansen, I agree with Capt Pat the Rule float switches are pretty much crap, I've had then fail more than four times, now I use only the Johnson 2200 gph pumps and matching switches in my 31. When I was building boats we used nothing but the Ultra switches they are well worth the price. I have a Ru...

Pete Fallon

Guy's If you find a bow chock without the round caps you can get the caps at any good plumbing supply house. They are stainless steel and are used to plug up the sink sprayer hole if it is not begin used in your household stainless steel sink. My original 1961 bow chock has the caps from the plumbin...

Pete Fallon

Marlin,
It's the Salty Tiger she's usually berthed up in the Jupiter area. How's the Hinckley running? I'm still having knee issues going to Boston next month to check out Boimet new knee joint. Head Dr. at Brigham & Women's thinks it will work for me.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Elizier, I was going to suggest the poly tanks I have had them in my 31 for 35 years with no problems, 25 gallon rectangular tank under the cabin sole in my boat. Now that you have them I feel that you made the right choice and you don't have to worry about winterizing them in PR. Have you had any l...

Pete Fallon

LJ,
Barney at Skipper Shipper in Jensen Beach has moved mine a few times and I have used him for other boats going north. His office number is 772-225-1279 Christa will usually answer the phone Barney's cell is 772-285-2432. He's not cheap but is fully bonded and insured.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Pete, The Cubavich that was at Cracker Boy in Riviera Beach Florida, was having the bottom done when I was there back in late June. The hull looked good nice clean looking boat. They were putting on worm shoes at the chines and on the keel, these were 2"x 4" untreated lumber worm shoes. The boat was...

Pete Fallon

Mikey,
Give me a couple of days and I will get the measurements from a 31 that's on a lift here in Stuart, like Kevin said the closer to the stringers the less hull flex you will have.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Kieth,
Looking good just take it easy on the trial run you never know what is going to break or loosen up. You will find it a completely different ride that the old I/O boat and a lot more room to work. Glad to see your finally getting to put her in the water.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

JohnV8er, I read the ad, at 50 miles an hour it had to be the race boat with full blown Cadillac engines, no house or any other wind blockers. I have had mine up to 41.8 miles an hour on the GPS and it starts to get a little squirrelly, it steers to the port and starts to chine walk. Cut it back to ...

Pete Fallon

Mike,
That's a good price from the Captain, I had 2 new struts cast at Buck Algonquin cost me over $800 and that was 25 years ago, with inflation and costs of materials anything under $400 is cheap.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

John V8er, It depends on which configuration you have, mine was the 10 degree angle with the short bronze struts 440 Chryslers with direct drive and intermediate strut bearings near the exit of the shaft log tube and 1-1/4" shafts, like Pat said it depends on the angle. I put in 454 Mercruiser 7.4 L...

Pete Fallon

Faithful,
My most coveted possession is my original 1961 Bertram Express, no advertising can beat owning one of the first year 31's. I have had it for35 years and sadly she is for sale due to health reasons.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Steve, Bill lives in Stuart/Palm City a few miles from me, He will be in St Pete all day tomorrow surveying his new 38 Bertram FBC, I was supposed to do it but my knee is acting up again, I am on crutches, he'll be back on Tuesday. The bladder sounds like an option they also come in larger sizes, ho...

Pete Fallon

Kevind767, A few years ago at the boat shows Bertram was using a high frequency sound device for keeping barnacles off the boat at the show, it seemed like a good idea but it was very expensive, I haven't seen or heard much about it since. I think it was called hull guard or something like that. I h...

Pete Fallon

Walter, Keep fighting, we all miss and wish you a speedy recovery. I've been sitting around the house since Tuesday, had to have knee drained again on Tuesday, Dr. told me to stay off the leg and use crutches to get around for a week. I was supposed to do a survey for Bill Machovina on Monday in St ...

Pete Fallon

bbtiller,
The tanks in the 31's were not tabbed to the stringers, they were just foamed in place. The pour foam goes around the ends and sides between the stringers. Don't forget to re-bond all the fuel fittings when you install new fuel hoses.
Pete Fallon

Pete Fallon

Doug L, Dana Sponagle has worked around the North shore for years the last time I saw him he had gone to work full time at Dions, he a big (large) guy that really knows his stuff when it comes to fiberglass repairs. I know the other Dana also, I haven't heard anything about what is going on at Hatho...

Pete Fallon

bbtiller, Before you put the tank back in get some 1/4" or 3/8" flat rubber stock for cushioning material, if you can't find the rubber use some high density PVC foam core board cut almost to the lengthy of the tank, about 1" wide, put a strip 12" off the keel and another about 12 " further out, fas...

Pete Fallon

Randall, If he's in New Jersey it's Tom Oaks, in Massachusetts either Hunter on Cape Cod (can't think of his last name he did Dug Stowe's boat I think) or Dion's Yacht Yard Salem, Ma. or Winter Island Boat Yard also in Salem, The best fiberglass guy around works out of both places in Salem, his name...

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