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Author Topic:   Bertram 28 opinions

ledfoot posted 09-12-2003 10:12 PM ET (US)
OK, skip the comments about this being a Whaler forum etc
I respect many members viewpoints and experience. I am considering a 1983 28' Bertram as our next boat. Use will be Pacific light cruising & trips to Catalina. Not much fishing but I like the clean open cockpit anyway. Got lucky enough to get a ride on one today in a strong short 2'-3' chop on Lake St Clair (MI) and it performed well. Any opinions?
Thanks
Jeff
ledfoot posted 09-12-2003 10:13 PM ET (US)
Oh yeah it is a Flybridge sport cruiser, not an open Bertram...
Jamie 20 outrage posted 09-12-2003 10:25 PM ET (US)
I have worked on one and went on a lot of rides. Nice boat in every way with no flaws. Except its not a whaler.
OutrageMan posted 09-13-2003 07:24 AM ET (US)
Great boat with one exception. I think they are a little short and narrow for having a bridge. A bit top heavy. Is this the model with Sea Drive? If so, stay away.
Brian
Knot at Work posted 09-13-2003 08:04 AM ET (US)
LedFoot,
Please check with the Bertram folks. THIS IS A WHALER FORUM, the reason I come here is to listen to opinions about, well Boston Whalers...
please respect us, the moderator and the whalers and refrain from "other boats".
Next thing we will be talking about are Edgwaters or Bayliners or Trophy's

respectfully
Jeff
spotsnspecks posted 09-13-2003 09:16 AM ET (US)
It's JimH's call but I think a natural progression would be from a Whaler to a 28 Bertram. The 28 have a very loyal following and have a website (google it) for the 28 and the 31. There is a blue water tournament down in Louisiana at the mouth of the Mississippi Called the Uncle Vic's invitational. It's held every year in August and sounds more like a Rendezvous than an actual fishing tournament. Knowing how uncommon these boats are they still get about 10 28's from over the world to show. All boats are welcome but it's a celebration of the 28! I can get you more info on the Vic's Invittional if you like.
You will undoubtedly get some more questions answered from these folks as well. Whaler and Bertram had a creative connection that I'm sure you know more about than I do in Ray Hunt.
I could talk about Edgewater's too as they kept some of my favorite (80's Outrage lines)Dougherty features in their current models.
Sorry I can't 6 degree Bayliner or Trophy (thank goodness).
jimh posted 09-13-2003 12:30 PM ET (US)
You won't be able to trailer it as easily as your 21-WALK AROUND.
hooter posted 09-13-2003 05:25 PM ET (US)
Have fished a couple B28's, one extensively, over the years. Good lookin' but somethin' of a odd duck as Bertrams go. She's heavy, solid and purely a fishin' machine. The cabin and head are about as useful as those on the Whaler 27 Walkaround's: essentially glorified storage, a cramped place t' piss and not much more. As to real comfort, what one usually associates with the Bertram name, you'll still wish for a bed in camp or a hotel. Mah pref'rence among the small Bertrams is the 25', which has no pretensions to bein' a "cruiser" and fills the form-fits-functionality call more like a Whaler. But make no mistake about what happens when you pull the Bertram's plugs, ok? Ah far prefer the bigger Whalers of 1995 and before to a B28, but what would you expect from a member of this site?
Knockerjoe posted 09-13-2003 05:30 PM ET (US)
Around my neck of the woods Bertrams are plentiful (S. Florida) I have spent some time on a 28. They are built like a tank and very heavy. These machines were built for fishing, much like a whaler. They have a very deep V and perform well in the ocean but will burn some fuel. Most I have seen are twin inboard gas. This would also be on the top of my list for my next boat if only I could get it through that damned fixed bridge at the end of the canal! Make sure you get a good survey and good luck.
ledfoot posted 09-14-2003 10:56 AM ET (US)
Thanks all
It's funny that all the boats I love are fishing boats, though I hardly fish at all. I guess its just that fishing boats have good hulls, easy cleaning, and high resale value. Maybe I should start fishing anyway...
-Jeff
goldstem posted 09-15-2003 08:27 AM ET (US)
My dad had a 28 bertram for many years. Yes, built like a tank, and provides a ride that whalers could only dream of. Drank gas like a fish, and it is a bit small for the flybridge... But that was only a problem at rest. Underway she was fine. All other comments I've read seem on the money. We certainly enjoyed ours.
Robob2003 posted 09-15-2003 09:37 AM ET (US)
ledfoot,
I fished many hours on a friend's 28 and it was a fine fishing boat.
You may want to check out this review:
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/boatreviews/Bertram28.htm
Bob on Tampa Bay
Bertramp posted 09-15-2003 09:42 AM ET (US)
Well ... I've owned a 25 a 28 and a 31 at different points.
31 was the favorite, but a 28 is a great boat. Well built, not as deep a "V" as a 31, but a great ride in all but the nastiest of nasty. Bertrams hold their value well and are a great stepup for folks looking for more space. I think you'll be real happy. I'm an East Coast boater, but I been to Catalina ... would work great for the ride out and a weekend stay.
DaveH posted 09-16-2003 11:31 AM ET (US)
Ledfoot:
I agree with all the positive comments about the 28. The bridge is small but lower to the water than most flybridge boats. It fits under bridges very well (depending on antenna layout) and can be trailered with a triple axle trailer (I would not do this, though). The hulls are thick and resistant to osmotic blistering.
The potential weak points are the main stringers at the engine mounts and stuffing boxes leaking. I would have a surveyer spend a lot of time in the bilge looking over the tranny's and engine mounts. Gas engines were installed in a majority of the 28's but Cat diesels can be found. The other drawback is the OEM rudders are small and I would upgrade accordingly.
The best alternative is to find a repowered 28 with Yanmar diesels. You would benefit from the newer diesel value without the taking the depreciation hit of the installation. I prefer the Yanmar over the OEM Cats anyday. These boats fly with the Yanmars and they are economical to run relative to the gas 28's. I have looked very hard at this option for myself but waiting a few years ($) to pull the trigger.
A similar boat to look into is the Blackfin 28. These came mostly with diesels and offer similar ride, fit & finish qualities of the Bertram. Let us know what you find.
ledfoot posted 09-18-2003 10:10 PM ET (US)
Thanks guys
Great input from experienced folks with intellegent things to say, just as I expected. I have an offer on a fresh water boat here in MI, we'll see what happens. Dave, I will have the stringers checked carefully by the surveyer. Everything else looks clean & original.
aah, fresh water!
-Jeff

alkar posted 09-21-2003 11:05 AM ET (US)
Fish drink gas?

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Author	Topic: Bertram 28 opinions
ledfoot	posted 09-12-2003 10:12 PM ET (US) OK, skip the comments about this being a Whaler forum etc I respect many members viewpoints and experience. I am considering a 1983 28' Bertram as our next boat. Use will be Pacific light cruising & trips to Catalina. Not much fishing but I like the clean open cockpit anyway. Got lucky enough to get a ride on one today in a strong short 2'-3' chop on Lake St Clair (MI) and it performed well. Any opinions? Thanks Jeff
ledfoot	posted 09-12-2003 10:13 PM ET (US) Oh yeah it is a Flybridge sport cruiser, not an open Bertram...
Jamie 20 outrage	posted 09-12-2003 10:25 PM ET (US) I have worked on one and went on a lot of rides. Nice boat in every way with no flaws. Except its not a whaler.
OutrageMan	posted 09-13-2003 07:24 AM ET (US) Great boat with one exception. I think they are a little short and narrow for having a bridge. A bit top heavy. Is this the model with Sea Drive? If so, stay away. Brian
Knot at Work	posted 09-13-2003 08:04 AM ET (US) LedFoot, Please check with the Bertram folks. THIS IS A WHALER FORUM, the reason I come here is to listen to opinions about, well Boston Whalers... please respect us, the moderator and the whalers and refrain from "other boats". Next thing we will be talking about are Edgwaters or Bayliners or Trophy's respectfully Jeff
spotsnspecks	posted 09-13-2003 09:16 AM ET (US) It's JimH's call but I think a natural progression would be from a Whaler to a 28 Bertram. The 28 have a very loyal following and have a website (google it) for the 28 and the 31. There is a blue water tournament down in Louisiana at the mouth of the Mississippi Called the Uncle Vic's invitational. It's held every year in August and sounds more like a Rendezvous than an actual fishing tournament. Knowing how uncommon these boats are they still get about 10 28's from over the world to show. All boats are welcome but it's a celebration of the 28! I can get you more info on the Vic's Invittional if you like. You will undoubtedly get some more questions answered from these folks as well. Whaler and Bertram had a creative connection that I'm sure you know more about than I do in Ray Hunt. I could talk about Edgewater's too as they kept some of my favorite (80's Outrage lines)Dougherty features in their current models. Sorry I can't 6 degree Bayliner or Trophy (thank goodness).
jimh	posted 09-13-2003 12:30 PM ET (US) You won't be able to trailer it as easily as your 21-WALK AROUND.
hooter	posted 09-13-2003 05:25 PM ET (US) Have fished a couple B28's, one extensively, over the years. Good lookin' but somethin' of a odd duck as Bertrams go. She's heavy, solid and purely a fishin' machine. The cabin and head are about as useful as those on the Whaler 27 Walkaround's: essentially glorified storage, a cramped place t' piss and not much more. As to real comfort, what one usually associates with the Bertram name, you'll still wish for a bed in camp or a hotel. Mah pref'rence among the small Bertrams is the 25', which has no pretensions to bein' a "cruiser" and fills the form-fits-functionality call more like a Whaler. But make no mistake about what happens when you pull the Bertram's plugs, ok? Ah far prefer the bigger Whalers of 1995 and before to a B28, but what would you expect from a member of this site?
Knockerjoe	posted 09-13-2003 05:30 PM ET (US) Around my neck of the woods Bertrams are plentiful (S. Florida) I have spent some time on a 28. They are built like a tank and very heavy. These machines were built for fishing, much like a whaler. They have a very deep V and perform well in the ocean but will burn some fuel. Most I have seen are twin inboard gas. This would also be on the top of my list for my next boat if only I could get it through that damned fixed bridge at the end of the canal! Make sure you get a good survey and good luck.
ledfoot	posted 09-14-2003 10:56 AM ET (US) Thanks all It's funny that all the boats I love are fishing boats, though I hardly fish at all. I guess its just that fishing boats have good hulls, easy cleaning, and high resale value. Maybe I should start fishing anyway... -Jeff
goldstem	posted 09-15-2003 08:27 AM ET (US) My dad had a 28 bertram for many years. Yes, built like a tank, and provides a ride that whalers could only dream of. Drank gas like a fish, and it is a bit small for the flybridge... But that was only a problem at rest. Underway she was fine. All other comments I've read seem on the money. We certainly enjoyed ours.
Robob2003	posted 09-15-2003 09:37 AM ET (US) ledfoot, I fished many hours on a friend's 28 and it was a fine fishing boat. You may want to check out this review: http://www.yachtsurvey.com/boatreviews/Bertram28.htm Bob on Tampa Bay
Bertramp	posted 09-15-2003 09:42 AM ET (US) Well ... I've owned a 25 a 28 and a 31 at different points. 31 was the favorite, but a 28 is a great boat. Well built, not as deep a "V" as a 31, but a great ride in all but the nastiest of nasty. Bertrams hold their value well and are a great stepup for folks looking for more space. I think you'll be real happy. I'm an East Coast boater, but I been to Catalina ... would work great for the ride out and a weekend stay.
DaveH	posted 09-16-2003 11:31 AM ET (US) Ledfoot: I agree with all the positive comments about the 28. The bridge is small but lower to the water than most flybridge boats. It fits under bridges very well (depending on antenna layout) and can be trailered with a triple axle trailer (I would not do this, though). The hulls are thick and resistant to osmotic blistering. The potential weak points are the main stringers at the engine mounts and stuffing boxes leaking. I would have a surveyer spend a lot of time in the bilge looking over the tranny's and engine mounts. Gas engines were installed in a majority of the 28's but Cat diesels can be found. The other drawback is the OEM rudders are small and I would upgrade accordingly. The best alternative is to find a repowered 28 with Yanmar diesels. You would benefit from the newer diesel value without the taking the depreciation hit of the installation. I prefer the Yanmar over the OEM Cats anyday. These boats fly with the Yanmars and they are economical to run relative to the gas 28's. I have looked very hard at this option for myself but waiting a few years ($) to pull the trigger. A similar boat to look into is the Blackfin 28. These came mostly with diesels and offer similar ride, fit & finish qualities of the Bertram. Let us know what you find.
ledfoot	posted 09-18-2003 10:10 PM ET (US) Thanks guys Great input from experienced folks with intellegent things to say, just as I expected. I have an offer on a fresh water boat here in MI, we'll see what happens. Dave, I will have the stringers checked carefully by the surveyer. Everything else looks clean & original. aah, fresh water! -Jeff
alkar	posted 09-21-2003 11:05 AM ET (US) Fish drink gas?