bertram31.com

A few progress pictures. She is back in the shop and should be ready for engine install before end of month.

A few looks at the closed cell foam under cockpit sole, cabin door opening in composite bulkhead, etc.









Enjoy!

Ian.

Wow, Ian, looking great. That foam will stiffen her up and quiet her down. I can't remember what you chose for power?

Looking great. How is the Hunt coming?

Rod -

I have the Volvo Penta 4.3 GXiE Duoprop.

Electronic throttle and shift.

I have not seen the Hunt 14 in person yet. I will drag it home from Ontario in the Spring.

Ian.

Rod - How did you make out with the Hunt 14 project with Jamie?

Still trying, I actually have the money in my hot little hand waiting for him, but there has been no response to my emails. I had to restrain myself from buying a Formula Jr. The Hunt makes way more sense, just very hard to find one.

Ian:

Is this the Bahia from New Rochelle I looked at for you a couple of years ago?

Mark - it is!!

She is looking much different.

I love those little bahia's and want one some day. Looks good Ian.

Keep teh pictures coming. Looks nice

Wow Ian. You ain't kidding. Looks great.

Really starting to roll now. Foam is complete on starboard side as well.

Fuel tank (around 110 US gallons) installation is complete and ready to glass in floor. Tank compartment will be completely sealed except for two 8" stainless steel deck plates to access the sending unit and the fuel pick-up and line.



Installation was based on Pascoe's article http://yachtsurvey.com/fueltank.htm

Angle brackets added as seen for extra measure.

The entire sole should be glassed very soon.

More to follow.

Ian.

Looks great, Ian! Lay glass and let the grinding begin! Then fairing, and some more fairing, and maybe a little more fairing....

Are you back in the States full time now? Gettin' the boat ready for this season?

Cam - we are back in US permanently. Not in a house yet (hoping that happens today).

Boat will be complete for summer.

Ian.

A few more.

The sole is glassed. First application of blue VE fairing primer sprayed and boarded. Final picture is last VE fairing coat.









Enjoy!

Ian.

Ian,
Good to see your making progress on the 25, years ago I surveyed a 25 Bahia Mar in Fort Lauderdale for a friend of yours from the Thousand Islands-Thunder Bay area, the boat was a powder blue hull and it's name was JIMBO do your remember it? I was wondering what every became of that boat and if he ever even bought it or has it been finished, it was a real restoration project. If you know of anyone that is looking for a project 25 Bahia Mar I saw one recently here in Stuart and I also saw a 25 FB with no engines in Stuart also, both are projects but the exterior glass work is in real good condition both white hulled vessels.
Pete Fallon

Pete - this is a 20 Bahia.

Jimbo was purchased by John Pepperal I think and is running around Georgian bay.

That is a very clean boat now.

Ian.

Ian,
Sorry it looks bigger in the pictures from above, anyway looking good. Thank's for the come back info on JIMBO .
Pete Fallon

Pete -

This is several years old, but this is "JIMBO", now Bunbury.



Ian.

ENVY!!!

Looks good, Ian! I can't wait to see the in water shots! People ask me all the time "how much work is left on your Bertram?" I respond, "40 thousand"! They give me confused look and walk away muttering something about epoxy poisoning... :)

Thanks Cam. I am hoping to see some paint on her next week.

Engine install is scheduled to start in about 2 weeks.

Ian.

A few more pictures.

The side rails that go under the gunnel and provide a 'shelf' stowage area.

Engine compartment with fairing primer. (This is simply being knocked down, not faired to a large degree.)





Ian.

Ianupton,
Looking really good, it is amazing how much work is involved in redoing at Bertram whether it's a 20-25-28 or 31. If I remember correctly your putting in a Volvo Duoprop system, Good luck with the paint job, remember to wet the area around the boat down before you start painting keeps the dust out of the paint.
Pete Fallon

Thanks Pete. Looking back through all my pictures I am always shocked about all the different things that have been done.

When the paint goes on and the engine package gets installed I will really start to get excited.

You are correct, I am putting in a 4.3 V6 Duoprop package.

Ianupton,
When I was selling Mercury(Mariner) and Volvo parts in the early 90's along with my brokerage boats, we would use Mercury Mirage Duo prop stainless steel props from the Bravo 3 lower units instead of the stock Volvo props in our repowers, we always got good results, better top end speeds and less vibration, cavitation and they cost less. I can't remember the exact size right now it's been almost 25 years since don't hold me to the size but I think they were 19" x 21 or 23 pitch props. Looking great.
Pete Fallon

That is interesting Pete regarding the props.

When I was debating between Volvo and Mercruiser, (Bravo III vs Duoprop) Everything I read said that you could only use OEM props for these counter rotating drives. I never saw aftermarket ones.

A new Stainless F(series) propset from Volvo will run about $1600 - $1700 retail.

Ian.

Damm Pete your doing it again .i have no prop " secrets" with you around.

Ian, if you have not bought the props yet, I might have a set of brand new (used for about 10 hours) F 3 or F 5 (I can't remember, only they are less pitch than the ones I run which I think are F 7). I'll dig around to confirm if you want me to. I had thought of selling them on CL, but I'd rather give them to you.

Rod - I have not bought the props yet. Not sure what size I need yet.

Assuming they are the correct size or close enough for a spare set, I would be interested in them for a site donation.

Let me see if the dealer has any suggestions on what I need and I will come back to you.

Ian.

Bob and Pete - everything g I read says that they are not compatible and in fact I can't really even find any actermarkeg stainless steel props.

Am I missing something?

Ian.

OK... just found that Mercury (Quicksilver) makes an aftermarket prophet for the DPS drives.

I will look further into it.

Ian.

Yes they do

Bob - are they better than volvo props?

Bob,
It's hard to keep a secret from the faithful they deserve to know the best. That secret has been around for over 30 years, it's like reversing the lower units on the big 300 hp outboards. Wer'e to old to keep secrets anyway. Ian they are not after market props they are standard Mercury items.
Pete Fallon

Your right Pete no secrets but you know they can be raked and that would help a 20' Bertram with most weight in transom .the merc props are better then the" other guys"

Ian, I have found the props, hardly used,VOLVO PENTA DUOPROP F6REAR 3851476 4B ; F6FRONT3851466 4B. Yours for the taking with donation to the Sandbox, I'll box them and ship them UPS ground.

Rod - I will shoot you a message.

Final VE primer is on the boat. Will be knocked down today then the Awlgrip 545.







Ian.

Awlgrip 545 is done. Will be sanded then the color will go on this week.







Ian.