bertram31.com

Just found number 3... the orange one, in the middle of my other two... found in a barn in Ohio where it had been sitting warm and dry for the last 28 years.

Was named "Thunderbolt Grease Slapper Special" is now renamed simply as "GROWLER". Some may notice the non-original windscreen (looks more like a Moppie's) but after I bought it the owner said she had a old windscreen in the shed and lo and behold it was the original Baron 20 windscreen in great condition.

Meanwhile "BOX" (bottom) is in Japan where I just blew out the original Volvo 270D outdrive at 50 odd knots in Yokohama Bay and barely over 2/3 throttle. Now being repaired - managed to buy 3 good used Volvo 270D's on Yahoo Japan auctions for virtually bugger all. With the 454 big block V8, the boat sits a little heavy in the water, but once out of the hole she goes off like a stabbed rat.

"SNATCH" (top) is still under restoration in Florida, where most of the last decade of rainfall was found in the underdeck foam, pus evidence of half the wildlife of the Eastern Seaboard having lived on/in her at onetime or another. She has been stripped back to her shell and everything is being renewed or restored... trying to reuse as many of the original parts as possible. Still the 70 gallon aluminum fuel tank that is rammed in there is still like new!

Cheers

Reminds me of these garages/museums in lake Como, where a few romantics keep beautifully restored vintage Riva’s to save them from extinction!

Awesome

Yannis wrote:Reminds me of these garages/museums in lake Como, where a few romantics keep beautifully restored vintage Riva’s to save them from extinction!

I have a friend with a couple of Super Florida 20's on Garda... smashing!

These are all going to be driven and enjoyed... regularly... can't stand these things sitting idle... like Rivas, they were meant to be driven, just like fine wine was meant to be drunk (preferably by me) and expensive watches made to be worn!

Great job, keep up the good work of preserving these classics; you are a dedicated steward!

thanks for sharing. Sooo awesome.

Wow, I have never seen an orange one, is it painted or the original gelcoat? I am glad that you have the original windsheild, because the one that is on it does not enhance the look!

Painted I think... bought it sight unseen and it was picked up by one of my guys last night in Ohio, who's dragging it back South.

Will be Back to South Florida by Monday.

That is great. Three of them. Wow. I believe the original 31 rolled out at the New York Boat Show was orange. I wonder if they were trying to copy the color.

awesome