Congrats on the new to you Bertram..an old timer has a 38 at the same marina as my dads 37 Bertram...38 is a tank...heavy and well built what do you have for power? Like most of the old Bertrams overbuilt..bh
1966 31 Bahia Mar #316-512....8 years later..Resolute is now a reality..Builder to Boater..285 hours on the clocks..enjoying every minute..how many days till spring?
There was a very early one that had a hull that looked like a very big 31 hull. Built like a tank, wasn't fast by today's standards but very comfortable to ride in.
I am not an very knowledgeable about the evolution of Bertram hulls but Ed Riverio (previous Bertram owner) and CB Hawes (current Bertram owner) out of NJ have been helping me along.
The 38 (1963 version) is essentially a 31 hull but 7 ft longer and with a 14 ft 6 in wide beam . . . only 13 were built by Bertram
I am told that the 38s produced years after mine were quite different hulls
You are correct that it is not a fast boat . . . it was repowered with Cat 3208s at 375 hp each and cruises comfortably and economically at 20 mph at about 1 for 1 with a top speed in the 27 to 29 mph range depending on sea conditions etc.
I was surprised during the sea trials in that it planed in the 12 to13 mph range
Randall, yup, I was the 'posting whore' on THT but post there very little now
Once I figure out how to post pictures I will put a few up for your viewing
Thanks. I have (officially) been looking (with money in bank) for a boat that fits both my fishing needs and within my budget for about a year and a half. Only waiting for the engine survey to be completed by a Cat specialist . . . but they run like a charm (I am an old diesel mechanic). The horror stories I could tell about the many boats I inspected and the brokers who I ran into, but that is for another day.
I hope to have her in the Outer Banks the first week of November
JP Dalik
You are exactly correct . . . Spray Daze is the boat. She is beautifully laid out for fishing . . . only the electronics need a bit of freshinging up . . . the current owner and his dad are a class act and they took great care of the boat . . . lots of great upgrades to make it a true sport fisher
You now have a great boat, a bargain for what you got, a classic hull and design, and a whole bunch of new friends. Nobody today builds a 38 the way that boat is built. There used to be one in Montauk many years ago, but I don't know where it went. All the best! Walter
Upon further review, it appears that the 1970-75 Bertram 38 sportfishermen were built on the same hull as the 1963 that Auguste posted. He said his was 38' and a beam of 14'6". I pulled the specs on the 1970-75 38s, and it shows 37'8" with a beam of 14'5". Given the beams of each boat, they would both be considered "wide body" Berts compared to the later Bertram 38s (1983 B-38, 13'3" beam).
Tommy,
Thanks I have only seen a few over the years and had been told they were wide body boats never herd of that model. Thanks again.
Auguste Good luck with the new boat
Really cool and rare boat, congrats. How's she ride?
If any of the faithful are interested, I know of another of these early B38's which is for sale down my way... Same boat, original looking, not as sharp as Spray Daze though...
She's been tied up in Manatee Bay Marina for a few years, which is the marina/boatyard about halfway down the 18mile stretch for those in the area.
Recently had a for sale posted on her with a lauderdale phone#. I'll get the # if anyone's interested...
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.
Took possession of the boat last Thursday and provisioned it Friday. Plan was to get to OBX Sunday evening.
Left Saturday morning and didn't get 2 miles when we wrapped a rope around the prop. Had to go back and get the boat pulled. I cut the rope, 3/4 poly. Luckly no damage. By noon we were back on the water.
Plan was to get to Ocean City Saturday night. We ran into a storm (not forecasted Saturday morning) four hours from Cape May. Remember we are a 20 kt cruise.
We encounter true 6 footers spaced at 3.2 seconds (info off of the weather buoys today). The boat handled the weather well, we slowed to 12 kts. . . we really got tossed but it never slammed hard . . . busted my camera but other than that no damage
We travelled a couple of hours Sunday (late start as fuel dock not open till late morning) and decided we would not be able to reach Oregon Inlet before dark, something I didn't want to do.
Stopped at Ocean City and decided to leave the boat at the marina. We will go back down after the forecasted storm is over later this week. and finish the trip to OBX NC.
