bertram31.com

Wow how the time flies when you are having fun. i have this 1973 Bertram twenty years and every year I make improvements .this year bridge seats but this is day one so i begin with primary and secondary fuel filters.Anybody else starting their maintenance? BTW the fuel injection project for the Corvette is a huge success especially fuel mileage. the gain about 30% better fuel economy, this would really help a 31 Bertram gasser in addition to performance.

Looking good

thank you Peter. I allways wonder how your bottom looked after multi years in water without pulling her out to bottom paint. the bottom looks ok after years on bottom paint but this year i will get it done most likely using SEA HAWK brand multi -season bottom paint.

I have the boat pulled every spring, they power wash and scape the bottom. The water is brackish so it’s not bad. But honestly my 12 month slip is under $1000. I’m guessing the average guy pays 10k for summer dockage and winter storage. After 10 years I save $90k. If there’s last damage I’ll buy another one.

Peter

That is a great deal, don't give it up.

Perks of being a village resident

Babylon is a great town, the $1000 a year marina just adds to it.

Great picture! 2 of the finest. Vet and Bertram.

Well, once i get everything put back together then I will look into the fuel injection again.

Bob, Noticing your boot strip. From chine up, Is the stripe layout:
1/2" hull color
2" stripe
1/2" hull color
1/4" stripe?

No doubt what brand of tires you have on the 'vette!

thanks
Cam

1/2" hull color,2" stripe midnight blue metallic,1/2" stripe metallic silver.boat has never been waxed in 20 years.i "wheel it" with 3M PERFECT-11 every two years.
the truth is you have to purchase the very best tires racing tires you can above 500 hp.if not the tires will break loose shifting gears and car will swerve to the right at 90 degrees in one second,most likely with your body wrapped around the steering wheel after hitting a pole or tree.

Nope on the maintenance...just pulling stuff out and off.



Question on the oil pan drain fittings...how did you go into pan.
I haven't been able to locate fitting yet...or did you drill through existing?
It can be either 9/16-18 or M18 x 1.5

Thanks, Bob!

the back of oil pan (toward flywheel) there is a bulge on the back bottom of oil pan that collects the heavy metal ,crud the hole is tapped i think metric m-18 x1.5 . please check i am not positive however the ZF-IRM 220 is definitly metric located on bottom right side looking forward.just a two foot hose on each with male Hose bibb and brass cap then tie wrap to back of block were motor mounts are for oil pump out every year.

the coast guard blue hose is on the lower right to remove the entire oil and residue from rear of oil pan.

having trouble showing entire engine (photo reduction). Please click on photo!

Took a minute with the foil...cold intake air from outside of the engine bay, got it.
Notice a difference?

yes carl you are to smart, you have that book and nothing gets past you. every trick in your book will give you damn near double the fuel economy of outboards and at least from 18 to 22 times the longevity, however boat yards don`t want well maintained diesels ,like sailboaters no return for their precious water space. Phoenix has never been repaired in 13 years.
cold air intake with coolest and least amount of salt on or around boat together with cool fuel keeps her at 30 knot cruise with incredible seat of the pants acceleration from 30 knots up however engine noise is louder in cockpit from 2400 rpm up.the combustable air is the same as ambient air on the floor of the cockpit circulated by "station wagon effect" going forward.

Hey Bob My 496s being Dyno'd today we are considering putting Holley Double pumper 800cfm on the boat as supposedly they will tune up the best and a real good possibility that the secondaries won't even kick in at cruise?? I will post the stats when I get them...John

496" is still the best combo to this day. high end double A fuel dragster at 10,000hp for less than 4 seconds and pro stock and funny car. at 6 seconds running time, mostly due to bore/stroke ratio . john if i had a gasser it would be a 496 i am a strong believer but fuel injection of course , like a guy sitting on the engine with a computer constantly adjusting fuel/ air ratio.