Bertram Forums

First time post from new member. Looking to buy 1995 50' Bertram with 12-71ddec's looking for the good the bad and the ugly from anyone with knowledge and/or experience. Thanks in advance and I'll await your replays

On the 50' the power was 12v-71 DDEC @ 900hp. On the 54' they were 12v-92's.

The 12V-71 option was the result of one of the dealers (and Detroit Diesel, of course, in an attempt to blunt the 10-cyl. MAN sales) demanding it, in the late '80s, against the wishes of the factory. IIRC, a deal was struck where said dealer purchased a 50 and DD supplied the engines. The Bertram factory's engineers got involved as well. There was a lot of frustration and much tweaking that hot summer... because the boat wouldn't run any faster than the 8V-92-powered boats. Plus, it was tantamount to sixty pounds of iron in a fifty pound engine room--the consensus by the factory was that, from a production standpoint, this might have been viable in, say, a 52-footer.
At about the same time, the new boat Luxury tax and the 1990 recession's double whammy AND the flop of the 72 steered the company toward bankruptcy. I may be wrong, but I'd bet not too many 12V-71 Bertram 50s were built. Maybe someone can chime in here?

Welcome aboard, Bob. You've arrived in a Forum where you'll find, perhaps, some things you really didn't want to know.
BTW, would that be LEWES, DE? Friend of mine grew up there. Neighbor of theirs had a hole in their wall, courtesy of an 1812 British cannonball.

Thanks Loren for the information very interesting. Most of the brokers I've spoken to have suggested that the 12-71 package was the engine of choice especially in brokerage boats? There are a number of 8-92 boats on the market but most are of the late 80's vintage. Seems that in the mid 90's boats the 12-71's are more prominent. Was there much of a design change from the late 80's to the mid nineties? Was one era better than the other or were they about the same except for the years? Anyone out there with first hand experience with a mid 90's 50' with 12-71's? The next question I have does anyone recommend a GOOD surveyor in the south Florida area for a Bertram? And a good Detroit reference in the same area?

Hi Loren. Yes I'm in Lewes DE but newly transplanted from LI NY. I see you profile shows you in the south Florida area and if at all possible could we possibly speak privately since the boat I'm interested in is in your backyard? I don't know how to go about giving you my personal contact info put if it's ok to do so please give me instructions to follow. Thanks

Hi Bob--

Not entirely sure, but if you click on my name, and then click on it again when THAT screen pops up, you can reach me. If that doesn't pan out, I know An Influential Person here who can assist.
Regarding design changes, there was a major one resulting in larger salon windows and a restyled flybridge in 1994.
You might be aware as well that there were Galley Up (3 S/R) and Galley Down (2 S/R, less common) models.

OK, you have all my contact info; please feel free...
Early motorcycle breakfast ride on tap, will be home in the afternoon.

Thanks call tomorrow before heading south.

HI EVERYONE WE ARE IN A REFIT PROJECT ON 1979 BERTRAM CONV USED TO TO HAVE MERCRUSIERS 343 ACTUALLY WE BOUGHT CUMMINS QSB 5.9 WITH ZF 280 GEARS THE BOAT HAS 1 3/4 INCH SHAFTS WITH 23 X 22 . 3 BLADE PROPELLERS ,DO THEY CAN WORK WITH THIS ENGINES?

sorry i am new

Jeez...now we can't hear him at all.

Yes
A few years go converted a 34 to 5.9s from LBCs. Watch your exhaust. Had to increase to 5" exhaust. Your props will have to be replaced with less pitch. The shafts are good.