bertram31.com

After five long years I finally got to put the top deck back on the old girl!!!!!!!!!! It looks like a Bertram again. Now to plexus the seam and tabb the inside..Any thoughts on the lip joint, Bertram used pop rivets, wondering if I should go the same route or nut n bolt, with glass over? BH

Wow! Not many cap off restorations that you see.

From what I have heard about plexus, the glue is stronger than the laminate, so I'm not sure rivits or through bolting is needed.

I would consider using deck screws to hold things in place while the plexus cures. Tabbing on the inside is added insurance at this point.

Question... do you have the cap propped up or did it twist during time off the hull?

Ian.

Ian, When I originally cut the cap off the boat, the bow area popped right up into the shape you see. Ill put some weight on it gradually to bring it back down. The anchor bulkhead was left a bit high and will be trimmed to fit and tabbed inside. BH

Battleship grey is a good color on a Bahia Mar...

Mine is about 11 feet shorter.



Ian.

Bob you deserve a long awaited pat on the back.

As I have personally watched your project for the past 3 years I am constantly amazed at your attention to detail.

The look on the faces of Josh, Hosea and John tell the story but in their faces I see the reflection of your smile from ear to ear. I know that this is an enormous step for you.

You have now set the stage for a full winters work......splash time is near.

I would love to see the rigging that you used to hoist and move the deck into position.

So you guys are expecting snow tomorrow....right? Sounds like a great day to snuggle up with a 31 Bertram and a fresh bottle of Epoxy.

Congrats my friend.....keep up the good work.

hb

Congrats Bob, will the steps get easier from here? That's a great shop your able to do all that in too. When do you glass in your cabin design you and Harry did up? I'm sure Capt Pat will chime in on capping, I'd feel better if there is mechanical fastening along with glassing do to flexing of dissimilar structures/ flex rates, are my thoughts. Lookin good!

Bob

Looking good. I know, 6 years is a long time but just think, after this, you will have about 40 years of enjoyment ahead of you.

Grey???? Don't see many that color! ! ! !


Gert's 31 is a Greyish color and really looks good......


hb

Ian:

That boat has come a long way since I saw it in New York under bird droppings in that old parking garage!

Mark

Bob H,
If your going to use Plexus just put some dry wall screws to hold it together, after it dries take the screws out. The fiberglass will delaminate before the Plexus bonded joint fails. The tabbing on the inside is still a good idea, because the screws from the rub rail need a good base to adhear to, plus it keeps the water out if the joint not completely sealed.
Pete

Thanks Mark! There have been a few pounds of fiberglass dust since you saw her.

On the ride home, there was a huge rainstorm. Most of the bird crap was washed off before she saw my driveway.

Ian.

i built mine with the understanding it would be subjected to abuse crashing into waves on way to and from canyon. i epoxy with additives and joined both upper and lower than when the rubrail was installed used 144 thru bolts with nylox nuts and washers in 10-24 size. i must say great facillty to build a great boat.

Bob, Your on the down hill slide. Only 300-400 more man hours till you done. Looks AWSOME. The building is sweet, plenty of room and light.

Bob H,

This is no Bertram 31, it's a 31 Higgins built on a bertram 31 Hull. When she's done there will be no other boat like it. I regularly wonder how you continue to have the drive to do all this day in and day out.

Thanks for sharing.

Ha! A new (and more positive) connotation for a Higgins Boat!

I regularly wonder how you continue to have the drive to do all this day in and day out.

When ya' have a forest to clear, concentrate on the tree... Not the forest.

Good conversation this morning Bob, thanks for call...

Br,

Patrick

Looks great. Be really, really proud of her.

outstanding!!

Thanks for all the support guys, when you hit a big step and things move in giant leaps it gives you quite a lift.
Its easy to keep motivated after going to Greenport and seeing all great boats.
Capt Pat is right, keep focused on each little step and do it to the best of your ability. Ive had plenty of days of asking myself "what the hell have you gotten yourself into."
Building a boat Ive dreamed of since day one.
Thanks again Capt Pat. BH

PS. cleaned out harbor freight of 2" spring clamps....lol

Bob H .... thumbs up !!

Looks good Mr. Higgins. Getting closer to done every day. Should be just about gettin fun at this point.

It's worth mentioning to those that aren't tech savy. The website link on the bottom of bobs post provides a nice photo album of the progress.

great work bob, she looks real nice, want to do mine when your done lol

Charlie, Dont think I have enough gas in the tank to do it again....plus I have a whole lot of tuna to kill....spent all day saturday gettin that top back into shape, seems to have taken the shape of the dolly it was on...nothing ever goes as planned..time to get out the porta power or as Harry Babb calls it redneck come a long..BH

Bob

Be very careful there......if is does not fit.....do not force it......just get a BIGGER HAMMER


Repeat this procedure until it fits....LOL

I was working on my little Wind Screen project and discovered that there is a difference in symmetry from Port to Stbd of more than an inch....way more than an inch

Back to your project......wonder if the deck was twisted or distorted when the guy at the boat yard did his work????? That may be a problem...

Good thing we are professional Problem Solvers

hb