bertram31.com

Golly gee....ain't this fun!

Itching much yet?

No itch with fairing compounds. Actually I am immune to fiberglass itch, for better or worse. I've never had a problem with it.

That white paint is Awlgrip Hullgard Extra epoxy primer. That stuff is seriously mind-bending. Must wear a full face respirator with the right filters or you are boarding a spaceship to the stars......primer coats are my last task each day...coat and run!

Looking great Cam - keep the head down and the feet moving!!

Hey Cam,

I thought you said that you'd demolish and reshape the forward bench part.
Is that the new version or you decided to stick with what you had already done?
In any case, congrats for the nice (and practical) result !

This deck fairing process reminds me of drywall work...which I hate. I don't know a better way to do it other than laying on compound and long board sanding. Are there any short cuts? HA! Ha!

Yannis - That is my forward seating module. Years ago I cut back the long coffin box on the center console to make room up front. The center console now sports a 30 gallon "cooler" seat. The triangular deck hatch provides access to the bow thruster area, the small cut out in the deck is directly beneath the cooler seat, and the large cut out is the center console play room.

No more design changes!!!...at least no more big structural changes. My distorted vision is becoming reality.

BTW, I'm liking this grey epoxy fairing compound you see in the picture. It has more body/viscosity than the usual lightweight compounds but is still easy to sand. Can be laid up to 1.5" inches thick. Good choice for this base layer. After I get the deck close to fair, I'll prime and fair the remaining dents and pin holes with the lightweight compound.

Link: http://www.fibreglast.com/product/Marin ... -compounds

Cam

Nice work Cam. Keep us posted on how the fairing compound works out. I may get some for my next project on Crows Nest.

Looks Great!

You missed a spot.... ;-]

Way too much work for me to call enjoyment...looking good though!
Also looks like something I'd never "intentionally" do myself, for myself. Then again things do change.
Keep up the good work.

Nicest 25 Bertram I have ever seen. The light is at the end of the tunnel. Congrats.

Thanks guys. There is some light at the end of the tunnel. I am tentatively planning a bare bones launch next year. Bare bones meaning no electronics, stereo, T-top, or anything else (except cushions) that isn't necessary for safe operation. All the extras can wait. I need to verify this thing actually floats.

I went to my ortho surgeon a couple of weeks ago...X-Rays cleared me to continue abusing my body. The neuro surgeon confirmed that my brain is indeed defective. He suggested that I consider donating it to science when the project is finished.

Nice Cam, keep sanding :-)

Thanks, Scot. Any pictures of your labor of love?

No current pics Cam, but haven given up on diesel power (for now).. I did bring home a Mercruiser 454 this weekend, so still moving forward nicely. Of course as with all engines I own, I will need to go through it to squeeze some mo ponies out of it. Really tired of a "project boat" and want a floating boat. The 454 was an easy choice to get me in the water on the cheap and much faster.

Keep the pics coming!! It's encouraging.

Deck is done.....flat enough! Of course it is too cold to prime so it will wait for the painter! Pure work. One month left. The boat heads south over New Year's weekend!

That came out so well. It is a work of art.

I never had the guts to abandon the old decking system. Yours is leaps and bounds above what it had coming out of the factory. It looks clean, modern and robust. I really like your transom design with the jump seats and floating splashwell with access under it that allows you to get right to the aft most transom bilge allowing you have access to best locations for bilge pumps.

Amazing job Cam. That is the nicest 25 Bertram I have ever seen in my 15+ years haunting the 25bert/31bert sites.

It actaully renews my desire to one day get back into a large scale Bertram project. Amazing. I can wait to hear your performance soon.

Well done Sir.

Thank you. One key has been this boat shed. There is no way to effectively do this work outside in the elements and keep the project timeline to less than 10 years (HA!).

Working on the cap now...fair - sand - fair- sand...repeat. Just a few weeks to go!

Bravo, well done Cam.

Is this whole cover one piece? Does it open ? Thanx.

Yannis - Yes and No. The fuel tank does not have a hatch, but I know where to cut! The oval opening in the center is access to the tank hose connections and will be inside the center console. There will be another access point for the pickup/sender aft. This will be under the helm seat box. There is a 2 piece hatch aft under the livewell/transom module for bilge access (have to lay on your belly and stick your head in the hole...everything is a compromise). At the very bottom of the photo you can see part of the large, triangular hatch/plate. This is access to the bow thruster and whatever else I can fit there. It is screwed down and not intended for routine access.

The new deck was made from multiple sheets of Coosa 26 and epoxied to the stringers. All of the below deck volume outside of the stringers is filled with flotation foam. The square-ish openings are part of the center console which spans the width between the stringers. There is one secret compartment below deck that I have no access to right now...the old battery area just forward of the bilge access. At some point this may become an in-deck fish box but it isn't needed right now. I forgot how to fish...I am an expert sander now.

Cam

Hi Cam...Just beginning to evaluate the fairing process on my entire 31 FBC...I am curious of the benefit of this product over Awlfair?? I notice it is more expensive than Awfair?? Any help is appreciated...Also, since my entire project is outside in Florida, does the fairing coat have to be covered Immediately with a primer to prevent moisture issues?? Thanks all

John,

The fiberglast filler was good for deep holes, but difficult to mix (very viscous), tough to sand, and does not cure well in cooler temps. You can see some pink filler in my photo. I used this for the last few coats/spots due to temperature. I would only use the fiberglast again on deep holes and depressions.

I use the System Three Quickfair product. I don't know if it is better or cheaper than Awlfair. I started using System Three products at the start of the project and got used to it.

I've left fairing compounds uncovered for years and I don't think it has been a problem. Generally not exposed to the open sun or rain.

Good luck!

Hi Cam...Thanks so much for the quick response...I basically have left all fairing to the end of all of my rebuild projects(and cooler weather!) so I am just ready to begin the journey.
I will check out those projects and thanks for the input...Good luck, John

John,

I am by no means an expert at any of this and fairing work reminds me of drywall work, which I can't stand. Smooth and flat has been my goal. Right or wrong, this is my arsenal:

- 40 grit PSA for quick(er) goop removal https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FJ ... UTF8&psc=1
- 80 grit PSA https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000 ... UTF8&psc=1
- 80 grit hookit sheets..http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/us ... ite+Sheets
- 16" 2.75" longboard - http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/us ... nches+long
- 3M 4.5 x 30 rigid and flexible longboards - http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/us ... nches+long
- Hutchins Hustler 2000 with 4.5" pad - https://www.amazon.com/Hutchins-HUT2000 ... ns+hustler
- 3M random orbit air sander - 6"
- 3M random orbit 2.75 x ? small rectangular sander...very handy
- Dremel tool
- Bosch multi-tool with triangle sanding pad & 50 grit sheets...very handy
- carpenter's pencils
- respirator and ear protection
- Satellite radio...loud
- case of water
- peanut butter sandwich for lunch

I have probably spent 100 - 200 labor hours on the paint prep work so far, but I'm sure that I am doing it in the most inefficient manner possible. It's tough to play master and apprentice at the same time.

CamB25 " I forgot how to fish...I am an expert sander now."
Now that is funny! Todd

Thanks Cam...That's very helpful...Jamestown apparently has their own generic product like System Three called Total Fair that is 99.99 a gallon and they ship for free...I appreciate the info on the longboards etc...What about the Gatorade??? Thanks, John

Time's up! Heading south tomorrow for painting. I am BEAT! Happy New Year!

Cam

You painting her yourself?

Cam, nice!

I'd put a grab rail all around the top of the fishbox so that if anybody trips they have somewhere to hold from and avoid hitting on sharp corners.

Good luck, seems enjoyment time is not that far anymore!

Some mighty fine work there Cam!

Nice work!! Can't wait to see it painted.

Thanks, guys. Made the trip to Wilmington today without drama other than traffic. I drop the boat at the shop Monday. Of course I brought sandpaper with me to work on a few spots this weekend! I am addicted to 80 grit and fairing compound!

The really wild goal is to have boat in the water and useable by the rendezvous in June. Well see if that's possible....

Cam, good luck with the paint. The layout looks great. If you find yourself fighting the addiction to use that 80 grit after your fresh paint comes back just let me know. I run an addiction clinic up here in Jersey and your welcome to show up with the Festool anytime you want and grind away. There's 31' of topside, hull, bottom and new decks. Best of luck with the rigging, hope it's done by June.

Looks great. I cant wait to see it painted.

I keep forgetting what she is getting for power. Single 300hp Yamaha?

Power will a be single outboard on a 10" jack plate. My first choice is a new Evinrude G2 300. Second choice is everything else. I enjoy running 2 strokes. I hear these boats run pretty well on tired Mariner 225s!

My painter/builder was pretty impressed with the state of fair which is a good thing for my check book.

Awlcraft 2000 - Bahama Blue/Oyster White

Wow. Great work. Neat lay out. I can't imagine the time you spent. Congrats. Looking forward to seeing her painted (not nearly as much as you).

Grin. She is a work of art.

I am going to guess 53mph top end and 2.5mpg at cruise if you go with the new G2.

We are all very excited to see her completed.

Cam; Once again, you have outdone yourself -- but since you are such a glutton for punishment, I really should introduce you to my ex!!!

Tom

My mantra with the painter/builder is: Paint, not Perfection!

Lots of challenges on the way to the splash day, but we'll get there. I am so glad that my time with the grinders and sanders is over. The last 6 months have been hard labor...2-3 days a week, 10 -12 hrs a day making love to fairing boards and listening to my little compressor try to keep up with the air tools. My truck is filled with sanding dust, 7-11 hot dog bun crumbs, and empty water bottles.

The boat weighs 3200lbs as you see it. Might be 5500 or so when rigged and ready to run. 53 might be stretch. I'll settle for any sort of forward propulsion at speeds greater than I can swim!

Cam,

My boat was, and still is painted awlgrip sky blue, which is similar to your bahama blue.
I think its too bright/aggressive a color, I certainly would not have chosen it myself.
Perhaps Id go for the ice blue, which is a more faded light blue.
And if the decision was for me to make today, after my gathered experience, Id go white.
The problem with all colors is that every single scratch will be immediately visible and, unless you have an inherent tendency to travel with your set of brushes and paint canisters, a pain in the a@@@ to fix.
Let alone white is cooler in the sun.
The minute you'll first scratch that pier, you might wish your boat was white...ask me how I know!
Either way, enjoy your boat, however you choose to paint her !

Yannis wrote:The problem with all colors is that every single scratch will be immediately visible and, unless you have an inherent tendency to travel with your set of brushes and paint canisters, a pain in the a@@@ to fix.

A boat without a scratch or two is a marina queen <grin>

Or Bill Gates' boat...