bertram31.com

I am sure that this topic has been discussed before but any thoughts on permanent generators? Also, I tried searching and perhaps it is my computer or maybe I am retarded, I entered generator and nothing comes up. I entered bow and nothing comes up, does anyone else have this issue?

Yeah, use the old board to search, I get to it thru "features" at the bottom . They're working on the new board.
Do you have any small children? Get them to do it- ha.

Mike, sure we have discussed it for years, what brands, where to put it, etc. The where to put is pretty simple on a B31 - either outboaard of the port or stb. engine on a shelf. I have a 6.5 KW Phasor outboard of the port Cummins 6BTA, have seen them outboard of the stb engine as well. Lots of the B31 Faithful have used the 3.5 KW Phasor and Next Gen single cyl. sets. My personal favorite is the 3 cyl. 1800 rpm Phasor with the Kubota engine since its real quiet vs. the 2800 and 3600 rpm single cyl. units.

On the other hand, with any sort of V-8, gas or diesel, there is just no room to put one on a B31, the engines are just too wide.

Capt. Patrick posted recently that the search function was broke.

UV

Hi Mike

I installed a 5KW Westerbeke in my Express in 2005. As you can see from the photos its a tight fit but works great.

If you could sight down between the engine and the genset you would see that there is about 2" clearance between the engine and the generator.

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r289 ... P_2640.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r289 ... P_2639.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r289 ... P_2637.jpg

Harry Babb

Harry, are those the original engine boxes in your boat? My 1962 express has the big, heavy boxes with two hinged lids on each, fore and aft. To get the entire box out means unscrewing the sides from the supports and sliding the heavy suckers (with 2" Soundown) out. Originally, the floor between the engine boxes was also screwed to braces on the boxes, the inboard sides of which extended well down into the bilge area, but I modified this so I can lift the "hatch" between the engines for battery access.

Of course, without the solid boxes, I couldn't have my heavy pedestal chairs mounted on them.

Yes indeed those solid big butt (keeping it clean) hatches are a pain on our Express as well. I have had plans on the table to modify them for years so I could swing them open as shown. I got so tied of trying to take them off I finally decided to just climb inside of them to work on the outboard side of the motors. I always feel I'm going to get stuck in there and the boats going to take on water.

Heard of someone extending the step and putting it under there.

Captian Mike
I really do not know much about what was original and what is aftermarket on our boats. My serial number is 349 and year model is 1966 according to my Bill of Sale. The engine boxes are the ones that were on DeNada when I purchased her.

I have learned a lot from my friends here on B31 about our 31's. When I was just a punk kid I remember a guy in the marina where I hung out had a 31. Even as a young man the look of his boat always caught my eye and from there I always wanted to own a 31.

Then thru the years I owned a wooden Thompson a Chaparelle a Shamrock an Almand and a couple of home made outboard boats.

I purchased DeNada Thanksgiving weekend of 2004. All I know is that I am the 5th owner.

Attached are links to some of the Pics that I have taken. The sunrise pic is day 1 as I crossed Mobile Bay headed to my boat house in Fish River.

I have removed the tower from DeNada........to me it was to big......and to ugggggggly.

I did build a bimini top last summer just to keep the rays off of my shiny bald head.

I would like to see pics of the engine hatches that you and Sim are talking about. My pedestal chairs are bolted right to the top of the engine boxes. I will take some shots of the helm area and post them later.

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r289 ... P_2034.jpg
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r289 ... P_2038.jpg
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r289 ... P_2333.jpg

Harry Babb

Harry, send me your email address and I'll send engine box pictures. Did you get rid of the tower? I've been hunting for one to fit an express. The ones I find for flybridge 31's are too tall, as was the one that was on my boat when I bought it.

Sim, I've been toying with the idea of building a bridge deck with much bigger hatches - some sort of sectional construction easier to acess the engines with. Then I read a boat test on the Liberty 45, which had B31 style engine boxes, and Dean Travis Clark is ranting about how much better they are than having the engines below decks in an typical engine room.

That's why I love that boat! Walter

Well guys..........I am a little curious now about my engine boxes. Are they original or not???

I am pretty sure that the DeNadas interior was original when I bought the boat because other than the "Kitchen Linoleum" on the floor, the inside had not been touched in 40 years.

There was not a Bow Chock

I took these pictures this afternoon.

From these pics what can yall tell me about DeNada

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r289 ... G_1454.jpg
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r289 ... G_1456.jpg
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r289 ... G_1455.jpg
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r289 ... G_1453.jpg

Harry Babb

Harry,

They're original, but later vintage than the original boxes for an Express. Same boxes as stock on FBC & SF models...

Br,

Patrick

I have a Sportsfisherman 31-382. Registration says 1966, Bertram says 1964. I have the 2-piece engine boxes that I have rarely seen anywhere. Surprisingly, I don't think I've ever seen a 31 without the bow chock unless it had a pulpit. Very nice looking boat! Walter

harry
not sure of the hatch configuration on the express, but on my 68 bahiamar i have the phasor 3.5 between the helm chairs. in the hatch before you step down. fit real nice plenty of room

If properly fastened and backed, your cleat arrangement should be better than the bow chock according to the Boat Useless studies of the hurricane damage. Less stretching and chafing.