bertram31.com

hello all,

this is my first post!

I'm currently purchasing a 31' Bertram sportfish, rebuilt in 2019. the builder resulted with a gunwale height of only 21".
i intend to ship the boat to West Africa where we fish a lot of Marlin & Tunas. ive always fished with boats of higher gunwales & leadering an angry marlin or tuna by the boat seems difficult with such a low gunwale.

does anyone have similar gunwale hight?
what are your thoughts?


thanks

Fez,

Welcome!

That does seem pretty low....

I'm guessing that mine are a little higher than that (though not much). One thing that I did was to scallop the bottom of the side and transom panels, so that you can hook your feet under them. Less likely to get dragged overboard.....

mike ohlstein wrote:Welcome!

That does seem pretty low....

I'm guessing that mine are a little higher than that (though not much). One thing that I did was to scallop the bottom of the side and transom panels, so that you can hook your feet under them. Less likely to get dragged overboard.....

thank you!,

sounds good ill look into that.

Welcome

21 inches does seem low. Unless someone beats me to it, I will measure mine over the weekend and post the height on Monday for you.

Mine are 21” at the point about one foot aft of the engine boxes and 24” at the middle of the transom.

Peter

Thank you for measuring.

Tony Meola wrote:Welcome

21 inches does seem low. Unless someone beats me to it, I will measure mine over the weekend and post the height on Monday for you.

thank you Tony,

pschauss wrote:Mine are 21” at the point about one foot aft of the engine boxes and 24” at the middle of the transom.

I guess I need to figure out a solution...

thanks for measuring!

Fez,

The low gunwale height is an advantage to leadering, gaffing and releasing fish. That is one of the many reasons these are sought after sportsfishing boats (lots of other reasons too). I can get my hand in the water without dangerously leaning over the side, that's what you want if you are bringing marlin to the side of the boat. At least that's my opinion

I have to agree with Peter. I always found this to be an advantage. Of course when I was 25 it was a lot easier to do than now that I am 68, but I can still do it. Also makes it easier to climb into the boat should you happen to leave the deck. Grab the stern gunnel and get a toe in the exhaust and you are out of the water.

I have never felt like I was going over do to the low gunnel. Guess after all these years it is just second nature.

PeterPalmieri wrote:The low gunwale height is an advantage to leadering, gaffing and releasing fish. That is one of the many reasons these are sought after sportsfishing boats (lots of other reasons too). I can get my hand in the water without dangerously leaning over the side, that's what you want if you are bringing marlin to the side of the boat. At least that's my opinion

thank you Peter for putting out your opinion, i guess im not familiar with low gunwales... but its reassuring to know that 21" is the standard (i hope so). i dont think it will be a problem & definetly looking forward for it being an advantage!

Fez

If you really think it is too low, run a rail off the gunnel around the cockpit.

I have seen that before on the 31...I do not particularly like the looks or think it is needed, but I am not you.

Carl wrote:If you really think it is too low, run a rail off the gunnel around the cockpit.

I have seen that before on the 31...I do not particularly like the looks or think it is needed, but I am not you.

she has that now and i want to get rid of it. i share the same opinion with cockpit rails. not a fan!

thank you

fez,

i will definitely go with peter that 21" gunnel height is a huge advantage bringing a tuna over the rail and releasing a fish that is very weak and you help it get water thru it`s gills.i removed my panels in the cockpit entirely. rather silly why not add 18" to cockpit and perfect place to put your feet (like the kick plate under your kitchen cabinets) who wants to stand one foot from sink?