Burger yachts from the late 1950's

Just catching up with this post and having purchased a 1962 Burger in the summer of 2021 after leaving public office, I’ve embarked on this journey. It’s not for the faint of heart. However as “my Burger” gets nearer to completion there is nothing like her (except other Classic Burgers) on the water. She receives compliments from everyone and the owner of a new 65’ Fleming told me she has “classed up” our end of the marina.
I think it all begins with the condition of the entire ship to begin with (hull, mechanicals etc) and what might make your hull unique. Mine has a beautiful bar across the now enclosed aft salon. Also a custom flybridge was added and the owners stateroom was redone in beautiful teak and mahogany! Also my mechanicals were redone with complete refit with less than 750 hours since. So I started with a solid ship. That said,
I did (and probably will…) have hull issues which were not picked up on in the original survey. Mine was at the black water tank. But an aviation welder from NAS Pax River (in his off time/I’m a retired Naval Aviator) did a superb job with a complex repair on a unique 60 year old aluminum hull. I’ve had the hull thickness measured twice and will continue to monitor…the only area now which might be an issue is the freshwater tank (as was mentioned in an earlier post) but again I am monitoring that and have the welder if need be!! Right now the meter is showing substantial thickness of the hull plating. The rest of the ship is being re-done to top standards but not over the top so as to be a usable boat by my family, my Navy Shipmates and me. New heating/ac, complete new anchoring system (nothing there before!), new galley, complete painting and wood rot replacement in certain areas (lower helm and flybridge) new soft goods throughout and limited upgrades to electronics….you don’t need to spend stupid money here anymore with emerging technology. Shes coming along and looking great in the process. I think it will be another year or so before she’s where I want her to be and continued maintenance each year thereafter…aluminum likes to bubble up paint…so you are always chasing that demon!! In the meantime she was out of the water for a year but since all upgrades have been done while we have been able to use her. She’s a Beautiful Yacht and as some have indicated herein, nothing can measure up to her being built today including the modern Burgers. So yes: FullSpeedAhead on your mission to enjoy one of these special ships and to preserve them for the next generation!! (My sixteen year old son has already asked me to keep Constellation in good order so that he can have her one day!!).

Your plating deterioration is almost always going to be in the black, grey, and potable tanks or in the active bilges where sediment can collect. We converted grey and black to poly tank inserts (black is larger and fed by a lift station to a new location) in order to eliminate the issue. Potable tank is routinely cleaned and kept coated with a potable tank epoxy paint. Bilges were cleaned, treated, and also coated. Bilges are routinely inspected for dirt, debris or sediment, and any stray tools or hardware. A tiny amount of maintenance in the routine saves big headaches from compiling.

Great to see the older fleet carrying on in fine tradition and elegance.

Thank you. Do you also have a Burger?

Yes. 372C by Hargrave.

She looks great I think the fly bridge was added sometime down the road. the best design boats no doubt sure wish boats manufactures today would bring back the classic looks again.

Agreed! Based on Burger's execution of Sycara IV, no doubt they could bring back any retro design. In fact, they offered this a few years ago...

https://www.yachtforums.com/feature/burgers-retro-rph-cruisers.16371/

Since that pitch, I wonder how many retro designs orders came in?

I have never seen that taking off that was a good idea, but no takers surprised me. I can't wrap my head around with today's ugly ducks.

Awesome

Take a look on Yacht world right now. There's a clean vintage 60 footer by S&S in Italy. Embrace the elegance...

SALLY? Whoever did that refit really hit it out of the park! Wow!