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Need a new boat, how about this one...?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Norseman, Jul 11, 2015.

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  1. Norseman, Jul 11, 2015
    #1
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Sold my sailboat 2 years ago. Miss the Bahamas.
    Now thinking a small twin diesel power boat to buzz over, put the anchor down and read a book/drink beer.

    Need large cockpit for lounging and for scuba equipment.
    (I down fish, have no interest in fishing)

    Below decks should be reasonable for sleeping 3-4 guys, small galley and a head shower.

    No fancy nothing is needed or wanted. (No A/C, no TV, no microwave or other condo junk)
    Still open-minded but narrowed it down to Bertram 31s.

    Here is a prime example in Fort Lauderdale, new engines and all but big tuna tower.
    Can that be removed and sold...?
    Fuel flow 1 gallon per mile?
    1 gallon per hour is obviously wrong.
    http://www.**************/boats/196...Fort-Lauderdale/FL/United-States#.VaHfbEr3arU
  2. Capt Ralph, Jul 12, 2015
    #2
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    You certainly can not go wrong with an ole Bert 31. It will always have some value that won't fade away.
    There is a Bert 31 listing currently on e-bay. Gas, no tower and may be quicker to ship down.
    Good luck.
    ,rc
  3. Norseman, Jul 12, 2015
    #3
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Aye, can't do gas engines.
    Will pay twice as much for twin-diesel with low hours.
    Is Cummings a good choice?
    Some of The old Bertrams have Yanmars as well.
    I noticed the total HP range from 500 to over 700. Lost of power for a small boat.
    Corious what the fuel flow will be at 10 knots. (Or will it be "plowing" at that speed?)
    No personal experience with SF, but they seem to get around and a 31' may make a good "mini-trawler"/dive boat.
  4. NYCAP123, Jul 12, 2015
    #4
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    If that's all the speed and amenities you're interested in, why not get a trawler or even a commercial workboat / fishing boat type. You'll pay a premium for a 31 Bertram because of the reputation, and it's still just an old boat.
  5. dsharp, Jul 12, 2015
    #5
    dsharp

    dsharp Senior Member

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    You're not going to sleep 3-4 guys in a 31 Bertram cabin.
  6. Norseman, Jul 12, 2015
    #6
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Yup, a commercial boat be fine.
    Yup, a Bertram is still an old boat, but with good bones.
    Even if I don't need to cruise at more than 10 knots, it is nice to have the 26-30 knot capability in case I need it. Bad weather coming in, or what not.
    Crossed the Gulfstream 54 times on my sailboat, chugging along at 5-6 knots, would like to "upgrade" and cross in 4-5 hrs instead of 8-10 hrs.
    (2 hrs going at full speed would be nifty, but probably need my own gas station for that :D)
  7. Capt Ralph, Jul 12, 2015
    #7
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Understand in keeping away from Gas. It's not that bad but it is still healthier to stay away from.
    Those Cummins are good engines. Just remember, more horsepower developed, less life (the same on any engine).
    There is no great MPG on old Berts or any old true deep V hulls,
    just bad and not so bad.
    Go charter one out for a half day. You will luv or hate it in a few hours.
  8. NYCAP123, Jul 12, 2015
    #8
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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  9. Capt Ralph, Jul 12, 2015
    #9
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    NYCAP has found a good example of an alternate hull. Not a museum piece.
    Not so old of a design, lighter, better mpg. Still hard to sleep 4+.
    Shame Albin is out of business also but they did build a good boat till the end.

    Sleeping 4 with dive equipment in less than 35 feet loa will be a challenge.
    My favorite dive boat was an old / small crew boat with A/C, water maker, open showers and bunks. One heck of a back porch (swim platform) with ladder.
  10. Norseman, Jul 12, 2015
    #10
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Roger, I'll take your word for it, have not looked at or inside a Bertram yet.
    That being said, not looking for a yacht atmosphere, just a few dirty guys crashing after a day of diving and beer.
    Some could surely sleep in the aft cockpit as I will never go North of 25N.
    (Screwed up when I emigrated from Norway to Alaska, now that I have found palm trees and sunshine, will never go North again:))

    Will check out that other boat, not stuck with a Bertram. (Seen prices between
    $15k and $150k, quite a range)
  11. NYCAP123, Jul 12, 2015
    #11
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Another thing about that Bertram is that it's a good running boat but not such a good sitting boat (lots of rocking), which is what you'll be doing a lot of if your plan is to dive and hang with friends.
  12. Norseman, Jul 12, 2015
    #12
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Aha, more good info, thx.
    I did dig into the Albin 28 listing, YES, just what I am looking for, price is right as well.
    This particular one is in Charleston, SC at $49,9k.
    300 HP GM diesel.
    Also looked at other Albin 28 listings, in Florida.
    Some with Yanmar 310 HP.
    Cruise 17 knots, max 24 knots.
    Great, just what the doctor ordered, but none of the "Full Specs" give fuel flow
    At the various speeds...?
    Guess I can guess: 10 gph at cruise and 20 gph at max....?
    They all seem to have the Vetus bow thruster. No experience with those, nor is the HP listed. (I am quite familiar with "Side-Power", the Norwegian brand called Sleipner before they Engliied the name:)
    How is Vetus, good stuff?
  13. NYCAP123, Jul 12, 2015
    #13
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Glad I was able to widen your view. That burn rate sounds about right. I use (or allow my students to use) a thruster so seldom that it doesn't much matter what one they have, and with you being a sailboater I expect you'll be about the same. But Vetus is fine.
  14. Norseman, Jul 12, 2015
    #14
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Aye, I have lived for many years without a thruster on my sailboats.
    Growing lazy however and will enjoy a thruster on the next boat.
    Maybe that will be the Albin 28..
    (Are them things made in Sweden?)
  15. Capt Ralph, Jul 12, 2015
    #15
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    (Are them things made in Sweden?)

    VETUS has its headquarters in Schiedam, Export was strongly developed from an early stage of the business. Currently there are international subsidiaries established in Great Britain, Finland, Spain, Sweden, Russia, The United States, China, India, Denmark, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, in addition to the main office in Schiedam and a branch office in Friesland (both in The Netherlands). All of our customers are supplied from three distribution centers in the Netherlands, the United States and Australia.



    No extra complaints on their stuff.
    ,rc

    http://www.vetus.com/why-vetus-content
  16. olderboater, Jul 12, 2015
    #16
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Interestingly they make no mention of where they manufacture. Oh, and an aside, they're now part of Yanmar. I would think their thrusters are fine.
  17. Norseman, Jul 12, 2015
    #17
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Aye Mr. rcrapps:
    I meant the boats, the Albins, not them Vetus thrusters
    In the meantime I googled Albin, and yes, Swedish company for sure.
    In business for over 100 years.
    Recent boats built in the U.S., Taiwan, China, etc, but no bad reports.

    Being Norwegian I am naturally skeptical to anything from Sweden.
    Which brings up this question:

    Why was Jesus not born in Sweden...?
    Answer:
    Nobody could find 3 Wise Men and a Virgin.
  18. AMG, Jul 13, 2015
    #18
    AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    Haha, the last Albin boat produced in Sweden was about 30 years ago, but virgins are still in production...
  19. Capt Ralph, Jul 13, 2015
    #19
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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  20. Norseman, Jul 13, 2015
    #20
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Thanks for the info gentlemen.
    Been looking around and found this one relatively close to me:
    http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2002-ALBIN-Tournament-Express-102535936

    Only 250 hours on the engine.
    Probably rebuilt, will need an engine survey.
    Any good, bad or ugly information on the 315 Hp Yanmars.?

    Looks like most of these boats has Air Condition, but no generator.
    Only AC with shore power then...
    (I plan on big batteries, solar panels and goofing off for anchor in the Exumas,
    Not marinas or AC needed. Hopefully there is adequate ventilation on these boats)

    Lars: You know what it says under the beer bottles in Sweden: Open in the other end:)
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