On The Drawing Board: 39 Center Console from Bertram

June 2, 2020 By InTheBite Editor

Photo courtesy Bertram Yachts

Bertram Yachts proudly boasts as influential a history in the sportfishing landscape as you will find. Though the all-new Bertram 39 CC debuts at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in October 2020, this is far from Bertram’s first foray into the center console market. In the 1960s the company produced stern drive 20’ and 25’ models. In the 1970s, Bertram center consoles were powered by Mercury outboards—as will be the 39.

Photo courtesy Bertram Yachts

Tommy Thompson, Bertram’s Vice President of Sales, provides background on the latest splash and the philosophy that lies behind its venture into the center console market. “This is where the market is going. If you need proof of that, just head offshore of Hillsboro or West Palm on a Saturday afternoon.

Photo courtesy Bertram Yachts

Center consoles will never replace larger sportfishers but outboards have taken over the market,” he explains. “Building a center console is not a place that we’re afraid to go. We have the right team doing it. In its conception, we didn’t start out to build a center console, we set out to build a Bertram. At its core, it is a Bertram.”

Photo courtesy Bertram Yachts

“What does it mean to build a Bertram first? It’s a deep v, sturdy offshore boat. It is heavy and wide—it’s comfortable first. It has a 22-degree deadrise and is wide—13’ 2”—and carries its beam from the front to the back. It is a heavier, sturdier boat. We’re not targeting the 80 mile per hour market—with 400s it will top out around 60.”

Photo courtesy Bertram Yachts

“For us, the most important thing is comfort. Comfort when you get there—in the form a wide beam, comfortable stateroom, and comfort while you’re getting there,” Thompson explains. “People want more of a boat that they can option the way they want. Of course, we’ll always provide the hardcore fishing option, but we can also provide a great family option (in the boat’s layout). Options and comfort, that’s what this boat delivers.”

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