Bertram Sportfish Yachts Coming Back???

Custom is custom, you can build it pretty much as you wish.

My personal opinion is that the lack of transparency with a recognizable boat test after so much time is a sign that the marketing hype exceeded actual top speed. I really don't care except for the fact that they overstated the top number and would like to see actual cruise and fuel burn data.

Has there been any update on the 60 besides a profile photo on their website? From what I have read in earlier pages, it seems that those buying the 60 probably won't be serious fisherman and instead be more focused on cruising with a well built platform and range and occasional fishing.

Heavy does not equate a smooth ride. That is an old school falacy. 97% of planing boats ride much better when lighter. Of all the deliveries I do, virtually every single one of them runs best when you get down to a 1/3 of a tank of fuel versus full and it has nothing to do with trim. The lack of 3,000-10,000LBS of fuel weight makes a VERY noticable difference.

Hate to say the S word, but sailboats are the same.

They sent a photo in the newsletter Bertram Insider showing the 60 hull#1 out of the plug. They said they are on target for a Fort Lauderdale launch.

Heavy does not equal better ride. Hmmm true and false at the same time. Depends where the weight is I guess.
Back in the mid nineties I road a Magnum 50 Bestia weighing double to most similar boats and she was just a beast in the seven footers I encountered.
Fuel is always compromised weight especially if tanks are on the side of the hull.

Weight does not equal ride. The reason the Magnum rode so well was because of it's very deep V all of the way to the stern.

Sure I am not saying if you put 20 tons on a flat bottom it will ride good. But Magnum's are pretty heavy compared to most similar competition.

Every planing hull has an optimum range of ideal weight (Displacement) for its planning area which is usually defined as the area bounded by the chines.
You do not want a very light deep-vee nor a very heavy one as well.
The heavy vs. light weight discussion doesn't translate across the board, some boats are considered heavy for their length and perform quite well (Magnum), but the full load, full fuel departure condition is not the best case for any planing hull.

Looks like the first full review of the 35 is now availible. As everyone expected, top speed was 36.1 knots and range not the best at 261NM at 25.8 knots.

And to me the killer on the test would be the decibels. 91 at cruise, 90, 91 and 92 at all speeds over 21 knots. 82 and 83 even at 9-11 knots. For all you CAT lovers, perhaps it's worth it to not be able to hear. I'd suggest ear protection.

Also, concerned that the rudders needed adjusting after the initial trial as they didn't provide for good turning radius. That was corrected though. But not having a boat ready for a planned sea trial and review is disappointing and requiring a return trip for a second trial.

We've previously agreed it's just a pleasure boat, not a serious fishing boat, nostalgia, get out with the family and enjoy. To me, in that regard, failing to meet the speed promises and being as noisy as imaginable, coupled with requiring Seakeeper and extremely tight engine room as a result, I find it extremely disappointing for it's intended use. Nostalgia only carries it so far.

Compare it to any of the down east brands in the same size range.

Price as tested $885,000.

Not ready for prime time. Perhaps if I was on one I'd change my mind, but I don't see how.

The range is actually very good for a boat in it's size range. Many are under 200 nm.

I wonder if using IPS drives would have been better since you get a little more speed out of those.

Many others in that range use IPS. Sabre would be a good example. However, they don't get more speed.

Or single engine inboards such as Riva.

Or outboards.

As to the Seakeeper, the test boat had one. That's all I know. Perhaps the flybridge is why.

Or I can compare with our 44' Riva which goes much faster and is much quieter and has far more space.

They would be a better choice, as you'd go with lighter more fuel efficient engines in front of the IPS, less weight, less fuel burn, then could also carry a little less fuel and it would be quieter and probably be knocking on 40 knots. I too find the speed a little less than it should be for 2017.

Whoever said 260NM range is light for a boat like this, are you kidding? That's an incredible amount of range at cruise for a 35' Sportfish, most competitors are around 200NM.

Yes, but a Sabre 38. WOT 32.8 Cruise 25 knots for 353 nm or 28.1 knots for 330 nm. Max decibels at helm of 73 and in cockpit of 77.

The reality is that the Bertram has been promoted over and over and website even says today 40+ knots and it isn't. It isn't even close. Then very wet and very very very loud. It really fails on so many levels other than perhaps nostalgia to some. And it's not cheap.

A Riva in it's size range with single engine or boats like Cruisers or Albemarle or any of the downeast.

We all knew it wasn't going to hit 40 knots, so why have they been so persistent in that claim? If it didn't have a Bertram label would anyone be paying attention to it?

Hard to compare to 35' Sportfish as there aren't many. But compare to a Tiara 39 convertible. WOT 34.4 knots. Cruise 26.7 knots for 272 nm or 31.1 knots for 243 nm.. That's with twin 650 hp CAT's.

What other current boats are comparable to the Bertram? Isn't that part of the problem that there isn't a 35' Sportfish market? What is it's real competition? Sea Ray Sundancer? Sabre?

Sabre 40 flybridge. WOT 32.8 knots. Cruise 27.1 knots, 310 nm range, 76 decibels.