1978 Bertram Sport Fisherman

Designed as a Day Boat the 31 Bertram Sport Fisherman is built for fun and comfort at sea. She does have a plumbed marine head tucked at "V" vee-berth forward. Fitted with lower helm as well as her fly bridge helm she is in incredible condition with her original Gelcoat in remarkable condition. Wardrobe locker is forward and the original cabin windows are next to perfect. A true candidate for the Antique Boat Show. 

Located to the port side of the cabin it is equipped with a modest cabinet offering counter space, two drawers and two tall cabinets

•         Refrigerator 
•         Manual Pump Pressure water system

• Compass
• Garmin 4040 GPSmap
• Raymarine VHF Radio

All original gelcoat surfaces in remarkable condition. All original Bertram specific hardware throughout the boat. All rails original. After market additions are limited to the Glass-Tech replacement deck, replacement fuel tank 220 US Gallons, Dripless Shaft Logs and new 4 blade props. Folding bench style fly bridge seating. There is the original bench style seating at the lower station. Morse shifter and throttle controls and original style gauges at the helm. Trim Tabs with controls at both stations.

• Anchor with line
• Bow Rails
• Transom Rails
• Trim tabs added Feb 2016
• Bimini top
• Fiberglass Swim Platform
• Drop Curtain from Flybridge securing aft of the Engine Boxes
• Coast guard approved safety package
• Glass-Tech Fiberglass deck
• Fenders & lines
• Life jackets and/or life rings
• Navigation lights
• Head is a Portable/Permanent style and is plumbed to a 20 gallon Holding Tank 

Powered by a pair of Mercruiser 454 Fresh Water Cooled gas engines producing 330 Horsepower  with hours reading Port 1,293 and starboard 1,241. The vessel is currently with it's third owner who has owned her since 1986. All three owners have resided in the same area so the boat has never seen an ounce of saltwater duty. Winterized each and every year from 1977 to present and has been recommissioned every Spring with all fluids renewed, all components checked and verified as well as hoses and compression checked on all cylinders. The engines run strong and all compression readings are within manufacturer specifications. 

• Electrical 12V/110V
• 2 Batteries
• Battery parallel switch
• Auto and manual battery charger
• Dockside electrical cables
• Bilge blower
• 2 Bilge pumps auto & manual
• Bridge and Lower Helm Controls
• Fresh water Cooling System
• Fuel Filters
• Engines have fuel shut off valve
• Holding Tank
• Hydraulic Steering

Frozen in time this is by far the most original condition that has crossed my path in over 30 ears of being in the yacht business. 

 31Bertram,com

Nothing in power boating has equaled the continued world wide popularity of the Bertram 31. One of several Bertram 31 models, more than 1,000 Flybridge Cruisers were built over the years. While they have been out of production for many years, used models are continually in demand regardless of age or condition. Unquestionably, the chief attribute of any Bertram 31 is her legendary deep-V bull design. In addition to her superb sea keeping characteristics (and a well-known wet ride), the 31 has a large fishing cockpit and comfortable (if Spartan) cabin accommodations with berths for four. Regular production ended in 1983, but 23 "Silver Anniversary" models were built in 1986 with oak interiors and custom hull stripping. Twin 330-hp Mercruiser gas engines powered the majority of the Bertram 31's with several GM, Cat, or Cummins diesels offered as options. The Mercs would cruise around 23 knots with a top speed of 32+ knots. Earlier diesel-powered Bertram 31s had less speed and horsepower but greatly improved range. (The fuel capacity increased in 1972 from 170 to 222 gallons.) Over 500 changes were made to the Bertram 31 over the years; mostly cosmetic or hardware related. Note that the 31 Sportfish is visually the same boat without the cabin bulkhead and the Sedan is the same as the Sportfish without the flybridge. Other models include the Express Cruiser, the Bahia Mar, & the Convertible or "Moppie". Current trends are toward modern diesel conversions with the 4 and 6 cylinder inline Cummins and Yanmar being the most popular power plants. Fully restored or customized, diesel B31s can be valued as high as $175,000 & several have sold for over $200,000. 

Power was originally gasoline and many Bertram 31's are still powered this way. Several diesel engines are adaptable and in use, including: Yanmar, Cummins, Detroit, Man, and Perkins. Speed varies greatly with which power plants are used and ranges from a cruise of 18 - 30+ knts. The biggest drawback of the Bertram 31 design is that it is a wet and wild ride in a head sea. This fault is generally accepted and overlooked by 31 enthusiasts who know that other positive features out weigh the negative. Perhaps the best features of the 31 are it's low center of gravity, large cockpit, deep-v hull, and hard chine, all of which make this boat one of the best fishing platforms on the water today. It is obvious that the 31 is designed essentially as a fishing boat and creature comforts were considered as secondary considerations. The 31 also makes an excellent dive boat. January 1999 issue of Chesapeake Bay Magazine reads 1800 hulls were made up to 1983 and an additional 23 were made in 1986. That puts it at 1823 total.

There have been many owner modifications and "customization's" of the 31. While most are within the original design specifications, common modifications include: addition of a generator, transom livewell / fishbox, diesel conversion, air conditioning systems, freshwater heads, etc. Some have been totally customized to the point that only the basic hull, house, and flybridge design remain original.