Bertram 31 used boat review

The Bertram name is synonymous with performance power boating, but the company had an unusual beginning. The original Bertram 31 was inspired by a chance observation.

It was 1958 and yacht broker Dick Bertram was on the foredeck of the 12m Vim during the America's Cup Trials (Vim later came to Australia as a workhorse for Sir Frank Packer's America's Cup campaign).

Bertram noticed a small boat that was serving as the tender for Easterner, another America's Cup contender, and unlike all the other support boats, it reveled in the 20kt, two-metre chop. Designed by Ray Hunt and named Hunter, the 23-footer was a semi-production boat that was the first to use the so-called 'Huntform' shape.

Vee bottoms weren't new, but this little flyer carried a deep-vee section all the way to the stern. The 25-degree deadrise at the bow tapered to 23 degrees at the stern. Hunter also used longitudinal strakes to give added lift and to throw the spray out to the sides, as well as to cushion the impact of landing.

After talking to Hunt, Bertram commissioned him to design a 30ft wooden utility or commuter boat to use from his Miami waterfront home.

It wasn't long before Bertram entered the new boat, named Moppie after his wife, in the 1960 Miami-Nassau Race. Moppie won by two and a half hours in atrocious conditions that saw all but six boats retire. The boat would have finished even earlier but for a defective compass that forced the crew to stop regularly and take time-consuming sun bearings.

 Bertram took a mould from Moppie and introduced the fibreglass Bertram 31 at the New York National Boat Show in January 1961.

In the 45 years since Bertram Yachts opened its doors, much has changed and the company has passed through a number of owners and even faced bankruptcy.

Before the US-market Bertram moulds were finally retired in 1983 the company built 1860 Bertram 31s over 16 years, including 23 special-edition, silver-anniversary models.

Only a handful of the US-market Bertram 31s came to these shores, but there are quite a few of the locally-designed version around.

THE AUSTRALIAN BERTRAM 31
International Marine is a Melbourne-based, third-generation company that has been building boats for longer than most of us want to remember. The company built Bertram boats under licence for many years but, in the late 1980s, the US Bertram Corporation found itself in financial strife and International Marine went its own way.

The Australian Bertram 31 was introduced during this period and was in production from 1987 until 1991, when the 32 came along. The Australian Bertram 31 featured the characteristic deep-vee hull of the US model, but was more spacious inside and was more of a cruising vessel.

The US 31's heritage was more readily seen in Australian Bertram 28s and 26s.

That said, the Bertram 31 performs well, with handling that puts many newer designs to shame, particularly in rough conditions.

We checked out a few Bertram 31s and took a quick spin around Pittwater in one that was on the books at Andrew Moore Marine.

The Bertram 31s we inspected didn't show their age too much and crammed a lot into a relatively small package.

There is a large forward vee-berth cabin, complete with wardrobe and deep hull shelves. The vee-berth can be converted into a double bed. The cabin also has a large hatch, 12V reading lamps and an access panel to the chain locker and the powered windlass.

 Aft of the cabin is a port-side head with handheld shower and manual loo.

The vanity has two sliding doors and ample space inside.

The hot water system has a 240V element to supplement engine heating.

Opposite the head is a double bunk cabin with space for a pair of adults.

The saloon has a port-side steering station and a raised settee that doubles as a single, full-length bunk. The three-piece screen has a wiper for each panel.

The galley and U-shaped dinette are to starboard. The dinette converts easily into a double bed and the engines are easily accessed via panels beside the bunk and the dinette.

The cockpit is low-wooded, making a transom door unnecessary for most people. Under the cockpit carpet is a huge storage area and there are bins and lockers in the cockpit sides. There's no cockpit sink, but there is a shower.

The flybridge is safe and comfortable for five, with dual seats in front of the console and to port, and dual seats behind the console. Most used boats have hardtops and clears.

PERFORMANCE
The evaluation boat was powered by twin Volvo TAMD41, 4.1lt, in-line, six-cylinder diesels, but most used Bertram 31s are powered by Mercury 5.7lt petrol V8s. Petrol and diesel 31s have shaftdrive.

The diesel-powered Bertram was no slouch, getting up on the plane very quickly and cruising happily at 20kts. Full throttle sent the speed to 26kts and the boat felt quite comfortable at that velocity.

Bertrams are famous for their great handling and the 31 didn't disappoint, turning tightly without fuss at full noise.

The diesels made light work of manoeuvring the 31 into a very tight spot at Andrew Moore Marine's RMYC Newport base. With no more than idle revs it could be spun easily in its own length and backed precisely.

 Andrew Moore reckons the diesel 31s cruise on 25 to 28lt/h and the petrols drink up to 40lt/h. That means for short-haul cruisers there's not a great deal of difference in running costs.

WHAT GOES WRONG?
The Bertram 31 is a strong boat that has few inherent problems. The MerCruiser petrol engines need careful servicing and the manifolds and risers need regular repair or replacement. Any externally visible leaking may indicate engine damage in the central cylinders.

Access to the engines is quite good for basic maintenance but tight for anything major. The through-hull fittings are also relatively easy to reach.

WHAT YOU'LL PAY
The 1989 model we evaluated was in beautiful, original condition, with an asking price of $155,000. A well-kept petrol model of the same vintage was on sale for $139,000.

We also came across a well-worked, petrol-powered fishing version for only $110,000, but it needed some TLC.

The Bertram 31 is an inherently strong and safe boat that has few vices. It's a good platform from which to work if you buy one in poor condition to renovate. The basic layout can be modified for either family or fishing applications, or both.