Some people are land lovers and others love the sea. To me, the wobbly stuff (sea) is the only thing that makes sense! Boats and the sea are my passion. I caught the bug when I was 8 years old and have never looked back. I sail and drive motor boats and spend all my time studying and researching boats. This channel is about me sharing my knowledge with the world - imparting my 30 plus years of knowledge in the marine industry to the world.
Stop the madness and just paint the bottom. No boat has ever sank from blisters. Planning the structure because of blisters will weaken hull and make the boat hull questionable.
I am not sure how comments on RU-vid Shorts work - but we certainly havent removed your comment. In fact we appreciate you taking the time to share your story
I bought a 34 foot flybridge in board cruiser that at the time was about 15 years old. It was advertised as being in “first class” condition. Got an inspection report/survey from someone recommended by the selling agent. It highlighted a few things which were attended to and the price was adjusted but the penny dropped later when I read the report more deeply. It was a cut and paste from a much earlier report on the boat. It used the older name for the boat in places and mentioned things that the boat no longer had fitted such as a genset. Things that the report said were okay were later found to be not okay. I won’t list everything but over 12 months I spent over $25k making the boat seaworthy not counting my labour. Even just before I sold it things were still going wrong. I sold it with a clear conscience and bought a new boat with an outboard and warranty. I had hardly used the old boat in the 12 months I had it. It wasn’t safe or reliable. A very expensive lesson. I could have sued over the dodgy report but that would have been more expense. I sold it through the same agent for a slightly higher price than I paid that didn’t cover the cost of the repairs. The agent said boats can be expensive and with an older boat I expected some of that but not $500 a week on average.
Hi Steve, we have seen this sort of thing before - "surveyors" using old inspection reports to create new ones. Who you get to do your inspections is of the utmost importance and in our opinion it should never be the one who is recommended.
All my customers are clueless on what they buy. They always do opposite of what i warn them about. All they want to do is turn key and go like there cars. And then they cry when i give them the cost of all the obvious repairs that need made.
Bought a second hand boat advertised as being in first class order. Had a survey done that highlighted a few issues but nothing major. Later I realized the survey report had been cut and pasted from a previous survey by the same person. It mentioned a previous name for the boat and some items no longer on the boat such as a generator. The troubles started almost immediately and I spent $25000 over the next 12 months until I sold it through the same broker. I cut my losses and spent more on a new boat.
We are really sorry to hear that you had that experience! Unfortunately this situation is far too common. We suggest getting the survey done by a 100% independent inspector - definitely not the guy recommended by the seller. Hopefully you are now getting joy from boating!
Great series thanks! Would be interested to know if the owner sold and if so did he get his asking price? On a side note. Anyone know where I can get the fiberglass engine vents from a Bertram 35. Doing a diesel repower and need some more ventilation. International marine won’t sell them to me as a spare part.
The owner didn't end up selling, he has decided to hold onto it for now. My suggestion on the vents would be to take one off and see if a boat builder can make a copy of the ones you have - just as an idea.
Hey Ned, long time since Mallacoota mate 😉 I enjoyed that series on the EagleIII very much. Just out of curiosity, what sort of money he asking for it now? Cheers
It is a long time since Mallacoota - but we came for a visit in April to reconnect and catch up with family... The owner of Eagle III is asking $510k - but is willing to consider offers.
Hi thanks for the vid. Now left field as a dedicated subscriber who loved the Eagle 3 vids your expertise on Bertram 35s is obviously vast. Dream boat for me is one restored and twin outboards on the back 😮 Is this possible with a large check book? Thanks Ant.
That is plausible. You would need to do considerable transom work and engage a naval architect. I would suggest either a 31 or 35. But I am pretty sure it would be doable.
If Bertram management has any brains they would bring back these 30’s boats with the new epoxy tech. They would rule the mid level sport fishing world. Funny that they still do and haven’t built a new boat since the 80-90s???
I guess it depends where you are in the world. I believe they still make the 35's in the US. And there are some boats like the Formula 233 which have remained the same for years because they found a hull shape that works - so why change it? But I get what you are saying...
Yes Hardtop on a 35' Deep V hull? Beam seas Bad idea Most of your info is just no accurate Good video But you need to learn by doing and getting your hands dirty Then you know what your talking about! If you are the overseer! I feel bad for the Boat Owner
Absolutely stunning! I’m doing patchwork to keep an old Cresta 32 in good good shape until I retire and give her a refurb and if she come out half as nice as this Bertram I’ll be more than happy.
The boat has a stern thruster but this was added to the boat before we started managing the project. We also love the blue - so thanks for that. We actually didnt know if it would work well initially - but once it was done, realised that it is a great choice!
Found 4 of these boats for sale here in Aus ranging from 110.000 to 170.000 plus one 42ft at 185.000, And I'm guessing the restoration is not a cheep project
you would be correct - the restoration is not cheap. But like any boat, everything depends on how poorly it has been maintained over the years and how thoroughly you want to restore it. Just because a boat is old, doesn't mean it is in bad condition. Some people look after these boats and keep them maintained and in good nick.
Good to see a classic Bertie coming back to new. When I was a kid, they were almost mystical in size and very American. I still love to stare at them, the angles, the hull form. From what I estimate they work will have cost at the end, you could have bought a later model, but that wouldn't be as cool.
As you no doubt can see from my video - I also love the angles and hull form! When we started this project we let the owner know that he could buy a new boat for the same cost. He essentially didn't care - he just wanted this boat. We can't complain - this project has given us a huge amount of joy.
@Ned Talks Ship Hi Ned, I'm interested in doing something similar here in Perth to an old Randell. Basically, making an old unloved flybridge into a giant cruising centre console. Could you please PM me with an indication of what the osmosis repair cost? I'm still deciding on whether it's worth building a new hull from a one-off mould. Love the work you're doing. A lot of people wouldn't get it, but that is what caravans and camping are for. "Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."
@@troyclayton1775 Hi Troy, sounds like you are planning quite a project. The cost of the hull work can vary greatly. You can obviously tackle osmosis in a number of ways - depending on the severity. The way we did it was the most extreme of the options. Although I am not at liberty to tell you how much it cost for this project, I can tell you, from my experience it can cost anywhere from $30k - $60K. The variation depends on the vessel size and on how much of the hull needs to be planed back. For our project we had to fly a guy in from NZ to grind back the hull because there was no one local who could or would do it! This whole process is back breaking work - so not many people want to do it... I hope that helps, and feel free to reach out with any other questions. FYI - That Wind In The Willows quote is my all time favourite!
Melbourne to Whitsundays is a stroll in the park for this powerful offshore cruiser. All you need is a good Chart Plotter / auto pilot and depth sounder. Radar helpful.
Hello I was the proud owner of a 2007 Caribbean 35 from 2010 to 2022. My 3 sons and I had a wonderful 12 years exploring crayfish reefs and surf breaks around Rottnest Is. until ex wife (non bbq'd crayfish eater) had enough of time aboard with 4 males and reading books in "confined spaces". RESULT: 3 sons are safe reef navigators and skippers who moved on to rugby, university, 4x4 ing, cars, girls and drinking. GOOD RESULT. C35 Technical: Brilliant offshore hull with 2 x Cummins QSB 330 hp with silky electronic controls. (Worst fuel consumption was 4.1 l / nm @ 29 kn @ 2,900 RPM @ 120 l/hour, Best offshore cruising 3.5 l / nm @ 20 kn @ 70 l/hr. Usual load was 1,500kg including 5 POB, 300 l diesel, 400 L water. Swan River cruise 8 kn at 1.5 / nm). Value Retention: Purchased 2007 35 in 2010 for $350k @ 160 hours and sold for $270 @ 1,165 hrs. Bertram / Caribbean are an outstanding blue water hull and built to last longer than me. I can attest that a 10 kn reef hit with scratch antifoul only. All the best with your worthy restoration. Mal W. PS: Brand new from factory: Cummins QSB US$40,000 plus freight, GST and Australian fitting.
Hi Malcolm Thank you so much for sharing some of your story - even though your boating journey was interrupted, it sounds like it was awesome while it lasted... and yes, we agree - these boats are incredible.
Great series. Own a Bertram 35. Looking forward to the next stage of the build. Interested to see if the owner goes for a repower and internal fitout. Next things on our list.
Hi Christopher - thanks so much for the feedback.. I would love to give you a heads up as to what comes next - but... I hope to have a new video ready soon.
Fantastic you kept the lower station .Great memories of our B28 in the late 70s and 80s and always admiring the B35s .From memory when Norm Jenks was selling them, there was a early B35 called "Eagle" great video.
Thanks for sharing and we are glad you have enjoyed. Make sure to subscribe as the next video will include an interview with the original owners of Eagle III - which I am sure will bring up more great memories for you!
I have so enjoyed this series. My dad bought an early 70s Bertram 35 about 1976. He repowered it with Cat 3208s. That boat was a rocket. He sold it and bought a Hatteras 41 a few years later. Big mistake. The Hat was nice but sooooo slow. That Bertram was the best boat we ever owned.
That is awesome! yes - a Hatteras is a very different boat to a Bertram! Included in our next video will be some snippets of an interview we did with the son of the original owner of Eagle III - which might inspire a lovely trip down memory lane for you!
Good observation... The top was actual from a 32 Caribbean so was slightly smaller. Having said that - you will have to hold off on your judgement until you see the finished product! You may just be surprised at how well it suits the boat.
