New - An Introduction

Captain41 · Post by **Captain41** » Apr 19th, '13, 18:54

After a being a spectator on this site for quite a while, years actually, I can finally make my first post as a Bertram 31 owner. Last weekend my wife and I took ownership of one of the greatest boats ever made.

About the boat: it has been with a single owner in Virginia since the early 90’s. In the 90’s he would take the boat to Oregon Inlet for the summer to fish the stream but that ended in the 2000’s as he kept the boat closer to home. In its Oregon Inlet days the boat had a tuna tower but the owner removed it as he felt it made the boat too top heavy in larger seas. It’s a 1968 hull with gas engines (Chrysler M440’s). To a certain extent it is like stepping back in time as much of the interior and systems are still original (or near to it).

About us: I grew up near the water and spent my late teen’s and early twenties racing sailboats in-shore and off-shore. Also during that time I worked on a number of large yachts and finally earned enough sea time to get my 100T ticket. In my late twenties I pursued other shore based careers away from the marine industry but always had a soft spot for Bertram 31’s that I had seen during my time on the water. My wife on the other hand did not grow up on with boats and is somewhat new to it. Lets just say this purchase is her immersion therapy in spending time on the water. That said, she is incredibly enthusiastic about using the boat. And yes, the boat is named “Jersey Girl” after her. She represents all the great state of NJ has to offer (attractive, warm heart and at times an hell of an attitude).

Though we have a few outstanding maintenance issues to address with the boat we will not be making any significant changes or upgrades for a year or two. This is solely based on advice I have repeatedly read on this site (use it, learn it, then change it). We will be keeping the boat in the Annapolis area and initially exploring the upper Chesapeake Bay before venturing further.

I have spent years reading the posts on this site, learning the lessons, taking in the advice and certainly laughing a many a joke. Not being a Bertram owner I never felt it was my place to post anything on the site so here is my first. This site is not only a community devoted to one of the greatest boats ever made but is also place that fosters a tremendous brotherhood. So, I’d like to say my thanks for without this site I’m not sure we would have made the leap to purchase the boat.

Thank you all, especially Captain Patrick for all he does for the site, and I look forward to viewing life here on the site as a Bertram 31 owner.

R/Chris H

PeterPalmieri · Post by **PeterPalmieri** » Apr 19th, '13, 18:58

Welcome.

John F. · Post by **John F.** » Apr 19th, '13, 19:10

Welcome. I live on Kent Island, and though I no longer have my B31, I still have my B20. I'll be looking for Jersey Girl on the Bay. There are a few 31s local to Annapolis on here (Crows Nest, Mako, and others)

Captain41 · Post by **Captain41** » Apr 19th, '13, 19:24

Here's a few pictures of the boat. I hope I have the image and files sizes correct for viewing. If not, I'll refine in the future.

Bob H. · Post by **Bob H.** » Apr 19th, '13, 19:26

Welcome to the sandbox Chris, I too lurked for quite some time prior to purchasing my 31. I knew what I wanted to do just needed a few pointers along the way to do it the RIGHT way. Enjoy the refit of your 31, the journey is one to treasure. BH

Tony Meola · Post by **Tony Meola** » Apr 19th, '13, 21:34

Chris

Welcome. Just in case there are any other lurkers out there, please feel free to come into the sandbox, even if you don't have a 31.

Chris, seeing those blue chryslers bring back fond memories of an old friend god rest his sole. He had Chrylers in his 31, and we fished together many times.

Your wife will come to love boating. Just go easy until she gets the feel of it.

Good luck, and glad you decide to get sand on your feet.

Tommy · Post by **Tommy** » Apr 20th, '13, 08:27

VERY nice boat, Chris; welcome aboard. I really like your transom fishbox, and it looks like you have the Glastec cockpit deck. You and your family will create many great memories on the water with Jersey Girl!

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Apr 20th, '13, 08:56

Chris,
Welcome to your stewardship. She reminds me of A.J., huh, Guys?
I'm just off the Rappahannock and hope to come to Baltimore this summer to visit friends. Annapolis is a great stop over, so possible to meet. As the summer progresses I'll keep you informed.
She's auful purdy!

Capt.Frank · Post by **Capt.Frank** » Apr 20th, '13, 14:38

Welcome to the sandbox. I don't remember a B31 with a full tower down here ( Oregon Inlet) during the 90's. What was it named before you. Looks like a boat I have seen in Hatteras back in late 90's. Looks good enjoy.

Captain41 · Post by **Captain41** » Apr 21st, '13, 07:50

To all, thanks for the warm welcome.

John & Mikey - I especially appreciate the greetings from fellow Bertram owners here on the Bay. As with all on this site, it would be great to meet up in the future and look forward to the opportunity someday.

Frank - I can't really speak to validity of the owner's claim that the boat once had a tower. He is in his upper 70's now but he seemed very sharp when I spoke to him about the history and details of the boat. The name of the boat at that time was “Jay Bee”. I don't see any telltale signs of a tower (patch jobs from the hull connections, etc.) but he said the boat was painted afterwards.

Charlie J · Post by **Charlie J** » Apr 21st, '13, 07:54

welcome aboard, boat looks clean
best of luck with her

Russ Pagels · Post by **Russ Pagels** » Apr 21st, '13, 12:22

very nice, I like it! best of luck with her...Russ

Morning Wood · Post by **Morning Wood** » Apr 21st, '13, 18:54

Welcome Aboard. Very Nice rig

Pete Fallon · Post by **Pete Fallon** » Apr 22nd, '13, 03:48

Chris,
Welcome aboard, boat looks great, keep the water passages clean in those 440 Chryslers and don't use any ethanol gas in them> I had them in my 31 for years, they like to drink fuel, try and keep the secondaries from opening you would be amazed at how much fuel you will save. I changed out to Mercruisers throttle bodies in 1997 parts were getting hard to come by for the 440's. Good luck.
Pete Fallon

Rawleigh · Post by **Rawleigh** » Apr 22nd, '13, 11:19

Hello! Those are the exact same engines I have except that I was able to keep the factory copper Y that attached to the back of the manifolds. I burn between 24 to 26 gallons per hour at 20 knots. As Pete said be very careful with ethanol gas if you have the original fiberglass tank. I got an ethanol test kit from Baileysonline.com to check it.

http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail ... 023&catID=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Captain41 · Post by **Captain41** » Apr 22nd, '13, 18:24

Pete, Rawleigh - thanks for the welcome and advice on the fuel situation with the 440's. The previous owner said similar things about the fuel burn rate and had a few ways to keep fuel consumption as low as possible. The main one is, as you mentioned, to keep the secondaries from kicking in. I'm still working through ways to keep the ethanol away from the boat but, man, they don't make it easy.

R/Chris H

Pete Fallon · Post by **Pete Fallon** » Apr 22nd, '13, 23:51

Chris,
Call me on my cell if you want to talk about the 440's and ethanol. My cell is 561-310-7179 call me after 4:00 PM tomorrow.
Pete Fallon

BOBMX · Post by **BOBMX** » Apr 23rd, '13, 21:33

Chris,
Where about in Annapolis? I'm on the Severn River.
Bob

Rawleigh · Post by **Rawleigh** » Apr 24th, '13, 07:53

Chris: i am down on the Rappahannock River. So is Mikey.

Captain41 · Post by **Captain41** » Apr 24th, '13, 14:43

All - again thanks for the warm welcome and advice.

Pete - I'll be taking you up on the offer for a call to get your insight on the engines.

Rawleigh - I haven't spent much time on lower western shore of the Chesapeake but what I have seen has been extremely nice. After we are done poking around the upper bay I hope to get the boat back to the Rappahannock, Deltaville and the Hampton Roads area. Two of the things I'd eventually like to do is take the boat down the ICW and up the Potomac to DC so I see a lower Bay visit as good prep for those trips.

That said, I can only go to the lower bay after we get the boat up to southern NJ for a visit or two. Its in the plans to visit by water some of the locations where my wife grew up. And, in this case, like so many others: happy wife, happy life.

Bob - I have the boat at a marina off Round Bay in top part of the Severn.

R/Chris H

Gert van Leest · Post by **Gert van Leest** » Apr 24th, '13, 15:44

Hi there welcome to the club

Gert

BOBMX · Post by **BOBMX** » Apr 24th, '13, 21:17

Chris,

If you're talking about Rick Smiths I was standing next to your boat today. I dropped my center console off with him to put new trim tabs on it and saw what I thought was yours across the ramp. If that's it than nice find, looks like its in good shape. That's where my 31 will be when it comes up from NC. Great marina, I've been there for 15 years.

Bob

Captain41 · Post by **Captain41** » Apr 26th, '13, 09:34

Bob - I guessing that is me. I'm around the corner from the travel lift slip. I think I saw another B31 still on the hard and shrink wrapped. Next time you are going to be at the marina PM me and let me know. It would be great to meet up.

R/Chris H

BOBMX · Post by **BOBMX** » Apr 26th, '13, 12:49

Will do. The other 31 docks across the creek.

bertram31.com

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