1999 54 Bertram w cat 3412’s opinion

Welcome to Yacht Forums

Properly maintained the 3412 is bombproof.
Many 3412 luvers here.
How is low hours figured? With records and receipts?

Your '99, 54' should be safe from the later Bert hull issues.
Many Bertram luvers here also.

Find the best surveyors.

Is there a web ad we can look at. Some YF members here may know the boat.

Bertram and others started with Fiberglass tanks.
Aluminum tanks became very popular for their fast, multi form and cost reduced (cheap) construction.
Keeping in mind, it is a 25 year old tank and cost reduced (cheap) was one of it's original designs, it will need a good inspection. Sadly, only bits of the tank are visible.
Inquire if it has already been replaced.

This is not just a Bertram thing. Like soft decks, many other mfg's have these same issues.
Discuss this with your surveyor(s).

If you want a 54' Sportfish I have a fantastic 54 Donzi I'm considering listing. Full repower/refit with CAT C-18's, new gears, new generators, new shafts/props/bearings, new steering Full Awlcraft exterior paint. Every system on the boat replaced or rebuilt over past few years. Send me a Private Message if you want any info. Located in Ketchikan Alaska but easy to ship to you in Texas if that's where you want it.

WOW !!

Soft deck probably implies there is no core, which is in itself not a bad thing unless you want to put a tender on the fore-deck, as then probably you need to stringer reinforce the surrounding area to avoid hairline cracks.

same please!

1. You'll love the HUGE improvement in ride. 2. Would not be afraid if any soft areas are found in survey. My 1995, 46' had two on the front deck and two on the bridge. Painters repaired at my dock. Not that big a deal.

To be fair the problem with soft decks isn’t necessarily a Bertram issue but often a post build problem as owners/mechanics add equipment and drill into balsa core without epoxying the holes. As an old Hatteras owner… I know all about this

actually we have a small patch of soft deck on the Lazzara 110 I run… turns out the previous owner had the teak deck removed. In the process they removed the windlass retaining rod and reinstalled it by drilling new holes and using… screws!

They have a few 54 berts down here in Trinidad, and the ride and performance over the older detroit boats is night and day. Have done a few trips as deck hand on two of them and the boats get the numbers published in the mag report. Cruise is actually better since tabs add about 2 kts at cruise and the magazine tests dont use tabs. I know that the berts from the late 80s early 90s had issues with soft decks and fly bridges. However the owners of the late 90s 54s and 60s havent experienced those issues.

The 3412s are good engines for sure. How is the space in the ER with them?? Its a BIG engine... 70+ GPH at cruise is my big rub... Thirsty for sure. I will say that the Post 50 is in the 50s to low 60s per hour at the same speeds. Not the same head sea boat for sure...

Quite good access all around the 2 gens are aft of the engines, and there is plenty room around the front of the engines, and ability to reach the outboard sides. Berts of that era have access hatches in the salon above the engines for major jobs. Engine room is almost standing headroom on centerline, im 5'10"