According to information received by Graham Stevens the Consentino /Balestrieri Bertram 31 designed by Russell Specht has surfaced in the States…apparently Balestrieri took White Tornado to the States in 1970 for a series of races including the Miami Nassau but then she vanished and has no history post ’71. When found the craft was Black but the original white gel coat has been found underneath (only one white 31 Special was built). Both Red and White Tornado were powered by Mercruisers on outdrives and were very fast, they came first and second in the 1969 Wills International in fact they even had time to stop have chat and ciggy and still finish 30 mins ahead of the third place boat! They were the first OP1 boats to be seen in the UK with the Mercruiser I/O setup
Raybo Marine NY,
There was a 31 racer in Stuart off of Route 76 west going towards Indiantown a few years back. The fellows knick name was Cadillac( think) he always had some sort of classic for sale just inside his fence. He had a lapstreak Garvey. a couple of gutted 25 Bertram's a 20 Bertram that was gutted and a Crosby style down east lobster boat, I never saw anyone of his boats that looked like they were completed. I always meant to stop and talk to him but never had the time, I am now living back in Peabody Massachusetts until I can get this knee taken care of this will be the second winter in 28 years and hopefully the last one. The Bertram race boat that he had was a light blue hull or maybe white( memory is shot)) with a number on the bow, I don't know if that was the same boat but it needed a lot of work, lots of black mold on the decks , no engines just holes where the I/O' s were supposed to be. It might still be there, maybe Bruce or Russ Pechella (sorry for the spelling) can take a look and see if it's still there.
Pete,
I believe the light blue hull that ol Cadillac had was a ultra rare 28' baron.
Similar strake layout to the Bertram/nautec 31 special... Which is unlike any other Bertram.
I don't know what the world may want,
But a good stiff drink it surely dont,
Think I'll go and fix myself...a tall one.
