Movin' on? Not just yet...

You see, if there's one thing that the eagle-branded marque engenders, it's loyalty. Chances are if you own one Bertie you'll own another, and another, and... Well you get the idea.

I've got to admit a little bias here - it's genetic. My father has had two 35s pass through his hands since the early '80s. One's still proudly owned and operated by a family friend - in Japan of all places!

Another who probably should admit bias is Corlette (NSW) resident Steve Marshall, the regular skipper of Movin' On. Owned by Steve's father Gary, Movin' On is the Marshall clan's fourth Caribbean Bertram.

Like many other families, the Marshalls have followed a progression that International Marine has traded on for many years - first a 25, then a 28, the bigger step to a 31 and then on to the 35.

Berthed at the picturesque Anchorage - just round the corner from home for Steve - Movin' On is a regular sight at home port tournaments like the NSWGFA Nelson Bay Interclub, but it also fishes as far south as Broken Bay, and north to Port Macquarie.

According to Steve, it's neither a shark nor a billfish boat. Befitting the 35's all-round ability, it's a gamefisher that's often pressed into service by father Gary for cruising the Hawkesbury and, closer to home, the Myall Lakes.

Nonetheless, Movin' On's angling record is impressive, with plenty of big tigers to its name. These include a 467kg bruiser taken by Matthew Monin a few years back and 431kg and 306kg fish caught by Steve's wife Samantha.

Movin' On, crewed by Steve, brother Glen, Gary and Matt, was also the Newcastle Port Stephens GFC's champion tag and release boat for the 1994-95 season. Gary boated a 203kg blue marlin at the 1995 Billfish Shootout too, so its billfish record is proven too.

According to Steve, the boat wasn't exactly how they wanted it when they purchased it new.

Now, almost five years on, he's hard-pressed to think of another production vessel that could improve upon it.

"We wanted a 35 but one without a lower helm station and with single lever controls. At that stage, International built the boats one way - with the lower station and dual lever controls - and that's the way it arrived.

"It hasn't missed a beat though. We had a few early dramas with the (non-original) hardtop that was fitted, but apart from that it's been 100 per cent reliable," Steve explained.

"The 35 has a great cockpit - probably better than anything else this size - and it is an unbelievably good sea boat. We've had to cross bad bars and been out in some really bad seas and it's never been a worry. I reckon it is the best boat in its class in this respect," Steve opined.

Steve also praised Movin' On's twin B-series 300hp Cummins.

"We've put 1200hrs on the engines and have never had to touch them. The boat cruises at around 22-23kt comfortably and tops out at about 29kt. It's pretty economical too - we'd use about $200 worth of fuel on a typical day's trolling."

Like any vessel, the 35's not perfect. As far as changes are concerned, Steve nominates cockpit storage as one major area Movin' On could improve on.

"When you're fishing seriously, you need to have a clear cockpit, so I'd like to see more storage space. Bigger side pockets for gaffs and stuff would be a start, and some decent storage space under the cockpit sole would be a big plus."

And apart from that? "Nothing really, the 35's a great all-rounder, and a great fishing boat.

According to Steve, it's the 35's ability to live with the rough and tumble of regular gamefishing outings that has really endeared Movin' On to the Marshall clan.

"We've given Movin' On a caning, belted it around with big sharks and in big seas and it's always felt safe, solid and ready for more," Steve explained.

"It'd be hard to pick a boat to replace it. Except maybe a new 35..."