my bertram without engines ?

[ske11y]

As of today i am the proud own of a bertram 28, without engines... Aside from labor what can i expect to pay for some reliable used engines and what size should i be looking for ?
Thanks in advance

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: my bertram without engines ?

what can i expect to pay for some reliable used engines and what size should i be looking for ?

I would of searched for information into that before I bought the boat.

 

[ske11y]

Re: my bertram without engines ?

I purchased it for a real good price with intent of turning around and sell but now interested in getting it on the water.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: my bertram without engines ?

I can tell you right now !!!. Name it the ... Money Pit.

 

[Bondo]

Re: my bertram without engines ?

As of today i am the proud own of a bertram 28, without engines... Aside from labor what can i expect to pay for some reliable used engines and what size should i be looking for ?
Thanks in advance

Ayuh,... So what Did it have for motors, 'n drives,..??

It'll be Waaay cheaper to go back with something remotely similar...

 

[dingbat]

Re: my bertram without engines ?

I would of searched for information into that before I bought the boat.

The 28' Bertram is a classic and one of the finest fishing boats ever built. If you get a chance to buy a hull in good condition at a reasonable price you buy it. Worry about the cost of repowering later.

Old thead about repowering a 28
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=3547

http://www.bertram28.com/ and http://www.bertram31.com/

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: my bertram without engines ?

I would start by calling boat yards, they usually have engines laying around. They have them for many different reasons, fire, accident etc'

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: my bertram without engines ?

Another option you may want to consider is mounting a "pod" on the transom and using outboard motor(s).

Here is an example; http://www.marineezy.com.au/Power_Boat/3235_Bertram_Custom_FBridge.php

Do a web search for "outboard pod on bertram 28" for more information.

Good luck, keep us posted.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: my bertram without engines ?

What exactly does it need? Just engines, engines and drives, engines drives and controls... On the engines - are you starting with anything? Do you need full long blocks, or can you swap equipment over to reman short blocks? Answers to those will steer you in different directions.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: my bertram without engines ?

Also, probably a bit late now, but why were they pulled out? Both blown? Both old? Both in good shape and the original owner pulled them to put in a more seaworthy hull (hopefully not!!!). Some history may affect the decision.

 

[Tahorover]

Re: my bertram without engines ?

As of today i am the proud own of a bertram 28, without engines... Aside from labor what can i expect to pay for some reliable used engines and what size should i be looking for ?
Thanks in advance

Gas or diesel? Personally I'd go with a pair of Cummins 4bt

 

[ewenm]

Re: my bertram without engines ?

i re powered my 22 footer here in Australia in 2003 and it cost me a little over $22,000 that was everything gauges to propellors, i had a VP and duoprops fitted, and it really livened it up.

i imagine in the US you can do it a lot cheaper BUT its still going to cost you some

are you twin engines if so 4.3 efi,s with duoprops would work well

 

[mr 88]

Re: my bertram without engines ?

Besides what most people have mentioned,here a few more. What do you plan on doing with her, deep sea fishing, spending weekends on her, long extended trips. If you plan on any of these then you may want to lean towards a diesel from a econmical and less chance of fire on board point of view. A diesel will historicaly outlast a gas engine by one to 3 thousand hours and raise the resale value.The drawback is $$$$$ that you will spend to retrofit if not diesel to begin with and the cost of the powerplant . Gas engines are cheaper and somewhat easier to work on for most people.If you live in a area where you are not in the water all year round and will never amass a ton of hours etc then go gas for sure.Hanging a couple 250 hp's on her will cost as small fortune compared to Craiglisting a couple marine engines or buying a reman from this site or wherever

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: my bertram without engines ?

Check out a thread in the restoration section titled: 29' Carter Safari by legoman67. He and his buddy are repowering with twins as well. Very informative. You may want to PM those guys for info.

 

[jonesg]

Re: my bertram without engines ?

OP is getting the same response on another boating website.
He might have to invest $10K to get $11K back, minus storage fees.

This place on Cape cod always has a few bertrams in need of engine work.
They're not exactly hard to come by.
http://boatbrokerageinc.net/index.htm

Duel gas engines get .75mpg going downhill,
with gas prices pushing $5 at the dock this summer ,thats almost $120 to go 20 miles.?

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: my bertram without engines ?

Did we scare him off? I'd really like to see how this turns out.

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: my bertram without engines ?

Duel gas engines get .75mpg going downhill,
with gas prices pushing $5 at the dock this summer ,thats almost $120 to go 20 miles.?

This is true but will probably be offset by the inital outlay of diesel engine and drive cost. $10,000.00 buys a lot of gas. Not sure if he could make up that difference with diesel operating costs over the life time of ownership. I 'll even bet he can get alomost 1 mpg if set up correctly with gas engines.

 

[oldfordcrap]

Re: my bertram without engines ?

why not look for a decent boat thats ready to go if your sending this to a shop to do they will murder you. in this economy look for a running boat will be cheaper in the long run!!!!!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: my bertram without engines ?

eh, don't let all these naysayers discourage you. donor boats are easy to find.... I bought my boat for $543 and have under $4000 in it and the trailer now. I only lack a little more work to have it in the water but likely no more money needed. I bought another complete boat for engines and drives and sold it empty for what I bought it for so I ended up with $600 worth of fuel in two complete mercruiser 260 engines and drives

 

[ske11y]

Re: my bertram without engines ?

thanks for all the replies, diesels would be ideal but just not an option financially. I bought for $1k and planned on selling it to make some money to get to put towards something close to being ready to get on the water. But after getting it, ive pretty much decided its something i want to keep. Its a 79 Bertram 28 and the hull, stringers, fuel tank and interior are in good shape, also has the V drives, t top, furuno, garmin. I have a good mechanic friend and will probably try to find a pair of newly rebuilt engines on craiglist.