Opinions on 28 Bertram

[cdail28590]

I have been at looking at getting a different boat for awhile and I keep coming back to the Bertram 28 fly bridge. I have never been on one but the style, fishing room, the weight, and the deadrise seem to look like a great boat. I have found a guy that has a pretty good deal and I am going to look at the boat next weekend. My question is does anyone on here have experience with this boat that can offer any comments? The only bad thing I know of these boats is the fiberglass fuel tanks which don't do well with e-10 gasoline. Any comments good or bad on the boat or some things to look for on these boats is appreciated.
Thanks

[clt_capt]

I have fished on a 28 bertram a few times - It is a nice ride - truly a classic for a small boat

One thing to keep in mind is that they haven't been built for 30 or so years - you need to get a good inspection and make sure that the restoration was well done.

[jawz12]

the 28's are kinda the red headed step child of the bertrams...they will roll like there's no tomorrow...the cockpit is a little small too...
the fuel tank will need to be replaced,if it's gas powered-there is no way to get around it...these boats are going real cheap,i've seen them under 15k....beware of ones that have "new engines",most of the time they've been repowered by using a reman long block-not really the best way to go...you will need to have the boat surveyed,be sure to obtain the services of an experienced person,one who actually knows what he's doing-you want references!!!!! I'VE SEEN TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH BOATS THAT HAVE BEEN SURVEYED BY ''PROS''....
if you've got anymore questions,feel free to gimme a call...609-214-7556

[cdail28590]

I am going to look at it next weekend. I know one motor was replaced with a new vortec 350 and has 10hrs on it and the other is still the 260 hp 350 with about 500hrs on it. I quess the boat will roll so bad because of the 24 degree deadrise. Other than the gas tanks are there any other things I should be looking for? Any known areas of problems?

[Bligh]

the 28's are kinda the red headed step child of the bertrams...they will roll like there's no tomorrow...the cockpit is a little small too...
the fuel tank will need to be replaced,if it's gas powered-there is no way to get around it...these boats are going real cheap,i've seen them under 15k....beware of ones that have "new engines",most of the time they've been repowered by using a reman long block-not really the best way to go...you will need to have the boat surveyed,be sure to obtain the services of an experienced person,one who actually knows what he's doing-you want references!!!!! I'VE SEEN TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH BOATS THAT HAVE BEEN SURVEYED BY ''PROS''....
if you've got anymore questions,feel free to gimme a call...609-214-7556

Listen to jimmy! fuel tank is fiberglass and is softened like goo from e10, boat yard near me did one last winter! I had one in the earlly 80s and when not plane,ed off they are one of the most tenderest deep vees I ever fished on!!!!!!!! Under power good ride, but you have to slow down some time!!!

[Deep C]

One of my cloents down here has one... I Half way kid that his chair is worth more than the boat itself. Its a full time job chasing it as far as maintainence goes. Way light on fuel for north it does ok down here for local stuff. II will say his is a fish raiser but others I have worked were only fair. She does roll bad as mentioned above but has a lot of nice ammenities that I wh my boat had, like sleepong four if you had to.

[Calcutta]

The 28 was THE most popular Bertram ever sold...2,100 hulls...even more than the 31.

I owned one back in the early 90's...never been on a boat that raised more billfish. They are great boats, overall...but like anything, there are compromises. The deep V & deadrise aft which causes them to roll at drift in a beam also provides superior headsea running.

We were powered with Ford 351 (Windsor) gassers which provided a 23kt cruise. The fuel capacity was lacking. To overcome that issue, we would run-out on a 30-gallon bladder tank with quick-disconnect fittings.

As the entire hull and stringer system was 'glassed over, hull rot won't be an issue. The verticle bulk-heads like the rear of the house, door-frames were more suseptible to water intrusion. Look hard at the alum window-frames as well.

I've seen a number of them converted into custom center consoleboats with towers. Unlike the old Hatteras boats, these boat hulls handle high speed very well.

[Fast Forward]

My neighbors have a 1987 28 in good original condition. Not repowered. New aluminum fuel tanks last winter. They are a two boat owner. Give me a call if you are interested.
Bobby 410-726-3188

[bbeardsley]

My father ran charters on a repowered 28 for many years. As noted, it's a deep vee, so it rocks at rest in a sea, but awesome, very solid ride in headsea. I have sharked offshore as well. Great cockpit size and cabin space is open and actually usable. You know about the fiberglass tanks. Do make sure it's a true re-power (fwc preferably). Am attaching a link to another website with clean-looking 28 for sale. I also have a neighbor on Cape Cod who has a very clean 28 and just replaced the tank He is looking to get out as the f/b up and down is getting a bit much. PM me if you'd like his contact info.

Good luck.

http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/t...67555&posts=15

[cdail28590]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I ended up getting the Bertram I was going to look at. It is FWC with a 165 fiberglass tank and two 25 stainless saddle tanks. I know about the fiberglass tank issue but locally we don't have E10 yet. I tank change is in the future plans as well as bigger rudders. The 28's need bigger rudders to really turn better. The boat is a 75 and in good shape with no structural issues and only minor wiring issues that have already been addressed (bad ground). So far I really like the boat good ride, plenty of room, and lots of deck space to fish. I just need to get a trailer for it that doesn't cost a fortune. She weighs 11,200 lbs dry with no fuel so I figure 12,500 with fuel. It looks like I need at least a 15,000 lbs trailer to haul her.