InTheBite

Texas Marine Coalition: Bringing the Boats Back Home

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By Captain Kevin Deerman

For a number of years now, many Texas boat buyers have avoided bringing their boats to their home state after purchasing them. What could prompt Texan boat owners to register their boats in other states? The answer: high boat sales tax rates here in our state.

In recent years, many other coastal states have reduced or eliminated their tax rates and found substantial increases in boat sales and registrations. These tax savings make it much more appealing for Texan boat buyers to purchase their boats out of state. Were the sales tax paid at purchase not bad enough, there is an additional factor at play in keeping boats out of Texas. In order to register a boat in Texas (something that is necessary if you plan to keep a boat in Texas waters for an extended period of time), you must pay sales tax in Texas – even if you have already paid tax on the purchase of a vessel out of state.

The TMC is committed to re-establishing Texas amongst the other leading coastal states in boat sales and generally promoting growth in the marine industry

What is the effect of this double taxation? Some sportfish vessel owners who would normally have kept the boat in Texas for most of the year, and traveled only a few months a year, now do the opposite. Rather some owners instead keep their boat in other states for most of the year, only returning to Texas to fish the tournaments. The effect of this displacement hurts the thousands of Texans who make their living in the marine service industries. This includes sportfishing crews, yacht brokers, mechanics, financial services, insurance agents, marinas, fuel docks, boatyards, marine supply stores and many others.

To address this and other concerns, a group of marine industry professionals in Texas have joined together to form the Texas Marine Industry Coalition (TMIC). The TMIC was created primarily to address this issue head on. The group also provides a voice for Texas marine businesses, employees, venders, customers, and all men and women that make their living in the marine industry. The TMIC is committed to re-establishing Texas amongst the other leading coastal states in boat sales and generally promoting growth in the marine industry.

The TMIC is now working with lobbyists to pass pro-sportfishing legislation in the next legislative session. Primary goals of this legislative agenda are bringing our tax rate down, establishing a boat sales tax cap similar to those in Florida and other coastal states and reducing restrictions on out of state boats to make it more attractive for them to bring their boats to Texas. The net result of this legislation would be marine industry job creation and spurring more economic activity for the benefit of coastal communities and the many businesses that benefit from bluewater sportfishing. Hopefully, with the support of the people in our industry, we can look forward to getting more boats back into Texas waters. For more information on the Texas Marine Industry Coalition visit the website at tmicoalition.org.

– That’s the report from Texas!

Marlin Belts By Dale Wills Now Available

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coiled marlin release ruler belt

Looking for that last minute gift? InTheBite Publisher Dale Wills created a new line of Release Ruler belts. The latest creation is the Marlin Release Ruler belt. “They are just another way to show one’s passion for marlin fishing. In addition to a useful true-to-scale ruler, which captains and mates are always needing, the belts also contain the formula for estimating marlin weight and some useful identification tips. We also included the HUGE section at 20 inches – the holy grail for a grander measurement at the base of the marlins tail,” says Wills. MSRP $34.99

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

the end of the release ruler marlin belt

Marlin Release Ruler Belt

Premium Waterproof Release Ruler Fishing Belts combine fishing with function in a truly unique style. Show off your true passion.

• SIZE – Release Ruler Premium Belts fits most waist sizes up to 44”. Cut-to-size for the perfect fitting belt.

• LIFETIME GUARANTEE – Belts are made of high-grade, 100% Recyclable Thermoplastic. The same material used in Snowmobile tread. Designed to last a lifetime

• WATERPROOF– Perfect for fishing and anything else nature throws at you. Never gets damp or absorbs water.

• DURABLE – Hang your pliers and release tools right on the belt. It will not damage.

• RULER– Never be without a true to scale ruler. You’ll wear it every time you fish and more.

• HUGE– The 20-inch HUGE indicator lets you know you have that once in a lifetime fish if the base of the tail girth measures there.

• CALCULATE MARLIN WEIGHT – Lower Jaw Fork Length Weight(LJFL) estimating scale helps you do the math on the ride to the scale.

• EDUCATIONAL– Biological fin explanations

 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

Gear & Gizmos: From Aurora to Verado

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 SiOnyx Aurora: True Day Color Vision at Night – From a Light Weight Super Camera

The SiOnyx Aurora is an incredibly versatile, incredibly useful night vision camera that provides day color imaging at night. Perfect for boating, hunting, hiking, or any night time activity, the light weight camera is water proof rated. The camera shoots 720 HD video and includes a removeable and rechargeable battery as well as built in WiFi, GPS and accelerometer. Weighing just under eight ounces, the lightweight camera is capable of capturing still, burst and 720p video with an integrated HD OLED display for real-time color night vision. Free companion apps on iOS™ and Android® enable real-time navigation or the ability to control the Aurora directly from a smartphone.

“Aurora enables boaters running at night to identify navigation markers, explore dark anchorages, and imperatively, spot small water craft operating without illumination. With the Aurora, the fun doesn’t end when the sun goes down,” says SiOnyx CEO Steven Saylor. The Aurora has won the electronics category of the 2019 Miami Boat Show Innovation Awards. The awards annually recognize new, innovative products from the manufacturers and suppliers of the marine industry.

“The electronics category of the Innovation Awards is always difficult to judge, with incredible technology presented to our panel each year,” said Zuzana Prochazka, co-chair of the Innovation Awards and writer at BWI. “But this year it was truly no contest. The Aurora brings boaters the superhuman ability to see in the dark – a game-changer not just for boaters, but for the marine industry as a whole.” MSRP $799. For more, please visit: www.sionyx.com.

Furuno’s “Electronics Multi-Tool” Available in Black Box Version

Furuno’s new 4850 is a black box version of the company’s 5-in-1 unit (featuring VHF Radiotelephone, Class D DSC, GPS Receiver, AIS Receiver, and Simplified Loud Hailer with Intercom), the 4800. The 4850 retains the rich feature set, rugged durability, and ease of connection to other Furuno models of marine electronics, but features a much more compact, space-saving design.

The Furuno FM4850 includes the same ‘all-in-one’ features found in its companion model, but its black box configuration allows it to be installed in an out-of-the-way location. The unit’s included handset with LCD Screen and waterproof speaker can be installed in easy-to-access locations. Up to three individual ‘stations’ can be connected to a single black box installation, each of them with full access to the FM4850’s capabilities. This means you can have a Marine VHF Radiotelephone with built-in Class D DSC, GPS Receiver, AIS Receiver, Multi-Station Intercom, and 30W Loud Hailer with Listen Back capability installed at multiple locations onboard, all with one simple installation.

With its built-in GPS receiver, all the FM4850 requires is an external GPS antenna. The unit does not require an external GPS source to enable its DSC functionality. The unit can be used as a backup source of GPS positioning for other onboard electronics. It provides safety, reliability and versatility a neat, unobtrusive package. For more, please visit: www.furuno.com.

The MOB+™ Wireless Man OverBoard System – The Future of the Kill Switch

The MOB+™ Wireless Man OverBoard system is an innovative, ABYC compliant, life-saving safety device for your boat. Consisting of an easy to install HUB (mounted on or near the boat console) electronically connected to up to four wearable FOBs, the MOB+ is a high tech kill switch with many safety advantages. Up to four FOB’s can be connected to the HUB at the same time. The unit features a patent pending wireless protocol (WiMEA), an ergonomic design, and is made with high-quality marine grade components all of which make it extremely reliable (and surprisingly affordable).

The MOB+ provides greater freedom of movement than a traditional kill switch lanyard. Up to four xFOBs can be connected to the xHUB™ at the same time, with one unit acting as the captain’s stop unit (which kills the engine) and the additional three serving as alarm units for passengers. The unit is ideal for any boater, but especially crews that perform crossings, fish overnighters or take charters out at night. For more, please visit: www.fellmarine.com.

 Comprehensive Seamanship Information at Your Finger Tips

Whether you are studying for your Captain License exam or have decades of experience at the helm, Quick Reference Cards from Davis Instruments provide comprehensive seamanship information at your fingertips. It’s quicker and more consolidated than an internet search – and available even when WiFi is not.

Davis offers six double-sided, full-color Quick Reference Cards. Each is loaded with information that’s been distilled-down into graphic summaries and easy-to-read text. Designed in close cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons, they’re complete, precise and up to date. Quick Reference Cards are made from thick, durable plastic and are completely waterproof for use in all weather. 8.5″ W x 11″ L and three-hole punched, they fit a standard three-ring binder.

The cards are designed to cover specific applications: a Boating Guide (#128), US Buoyage System (#125), International Navigation Rules (#127), Coastwise Piloting (#126), Celestial Navigation (#132), and Weather Forecasting (#131). Even if you know all of this information already, having the cards on hand is a great way to educate others. For more, or to buy them, visit:  www.davisinstruments.com.

Portable Ultra-Pure Water Anywhere – Blue Water Desalination

Blue Water Desalination (BWD) unveils its latest innovation in water purification: the ClearMate Mobile (CM2) portable dock water filtration system. The Blue Water CM2 mobile series is a compact, portable reverse osmosis filtration system that turns dock water into ultra-pure spot-free water. Designed for ease of use at docks around the world, the CM2 offers a simple, mobile solution for keeping your yacht in bristol condition. Boats and yachts both big and small can now enjoy ultra-pure water anywhere in the world, by simply connecting the new ClearMate Mobile from Blue Water Desalination to any dock water supply.

Features and benefits include: Spot-free rinse water; Mechanical flow meter tracks processed water; Automatic operation; High rejection membranes for up to 99% rejection of total dissolved solids; NMEA 4X waterproof & flame retardant enclosure; Wheels & handles for easy moving; Can be fed off of dock water or an existing seawater desalination system, and; Compact design. For more, visit: www.bluewaterdesalination.com.

Permanently Installed Barnacle Flush from Bye Bye Barnacle

Bye Bye Barnacle is currently the only proven permanently installed flush unit on the market.

Engineered and developed to remove barnacles from plumbing, air-conditioning and refrigeration, the Bye Bye Barnacle (patent pending) unit is permanently installed in the mechanical space of your vessel. Designed for a trouble-free maintenance experience, systems need to be flushed every six weeks to avoid buildup of marine growth especially in warmer climates. The flush unit is plumbed into the supply and return manifolds of the air conditioning and refrigeration systems. The flush unit is plumbed to onboard fresh water system for filling, with the discharge pumped overboard. Discover why F&S Boatworks, Weaver Boatworks, and Hinckley Yacht Services rave about this latest innovation in flush systems. For more, visit: www.byebyebarnacle.com.

Ultra Performance, Ultra Functional Shirt by Columbia – Force XII Zero Long Sleeve Hybrid

Columbia’s Force 12 line is composed of hardcore gear designed to stand up to the elements and perform on the water. The Force XII Zero Long Sleeve Hybrid shirt combines sun protection, sweat-activated cooling technology, and moisture wicking. Snap buttons make for easy on and off, without buttons to snag. The shirt runs true to size and is stain and rip resistant. A great choice for fishing all day that can transition well to dinner at night. Technical features include: zippered chest pockets, thumb holes, reflective detail, built in sunglass cleaning patch, and Columbia’s trademarked Omni Freeze Cooling technology, Omni Shade UPF 50 sun protection and Omni-wick anti moisture properties. MSRP: $100. For more, visit: www.columbia.com.

Fine Italian Chairs for the Yacht, Villa or Home

Sea Vision by Underwater Lights USA is the exclusive North American representative for the Italian manufacturer Foresti & Suardi. Designer Christian Grande and Foresti & Suardi have developed this line of innovative and beautiful folding armchairs to bring style to yachts, villas and apartments. Each piece is made combining chromed brass and teak, the end result is a top quality aesthetic piece with Italian style.

The Montisola is a modern, refined version of the classic “film director chair.” Solid, comfortable and practical, it shows a perfect balance between the teak and metal elements. The synthetic fabric allows for ventilation and fast drying. Each chair comes with its individual carrying bag making it easy to transport or store away.

Minimalism, elegance and comfort were the inspiration for the Iseo Chair. Modeled after the timeless small folding armchair design, the Iseo is made of curved teak wood and metal accents. The internally lined, synthetic mattress allows ventilation and fast drying. Each of these chairs also comes with its individual carrying bag. For more info, please call 954-760-4447.

Verado 400 by Mercury Marine

Mercury Marine announced the launch of the 400hp Verado outboard engine, the company’s highest horsepower Verado branded outboard engine in its portfolio. “The acceptance of the 350hp Verado in the marketplace has been incredible and through extensive conversations with our global customers, we have learned that there is an appetite in the marketplace for a Verado-branded 400hp four-stroke outboard engine,” said John Pfeifer, Mercury Marine president. “As boats continue to increase in size, so has the need for more power. This gives us an opportunity to provide an even higher horsepower Verado in the market, providing the durability and reliability that the Verado brand is known for around the world.”

The 400hp Verado is suitable for a wide range of applications, including center consoles, pontoons, bay boats, and larger sport boats. Weighing just 668-pounds, same as the 350hp Verado, the 400hp Verado is also the lightest outboard in the 400+ HP category by nearly 300 pounds. The 400hp Verado is available for order today and will begin shipping in the spring.  MSRP $34,135. For more, visit: www.mercurymarine.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUBBA Launches the Ultimate Lifestyle: Low Country Adventures in Charleston

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By Elliott Stark 

Long famous for its knives, Bubba (www.bubbablade.com) has launched an array of fishing accessories and apparel. In homage to the brand’s iconic non-slip rubber knife grips, Bubba’s plyers, gaffs, knives and net handles all feature red handles. To tie all of the efforts together, Bubba launched the “Ultimate Lifestyle” campaign. With a vision of providing everything necessary to take your favorite fish from water to plate, Bubba launched their campaign in the form of a media trip in Charleston, South Carolina in November. From a waterfront house on Foley Beach, the plan involved a trip offshore to provision the kitchen for Chef Cosmo Goss.

The schedule originally called for a day of wahoo whacking and grouper duping on a 40’ Freeman with Penalty Box Charters. Winds of 35 knots, as they are known to do, decided that Plan B—chasing Charleston redfish and speckled trout might be the way to go.

Photo by Jeremy Clark

Captains Jamie Hough (Flat Spot Charters) and John Benson (Big Tide Charters) put their experience and expertise to work locating inshore action.

After whacking some trout, redfish, and catching some river shrimp (in 30’ of water with castnets outfitted with parachute tape to keep them open at depth), it was back to the house for surf fishing and more of Chef Cosmo’s artistry. Chunks of mullet slung on fish finder rigs produced three bull redfish and a couple of sharks in the surf over the course of two afternoons.

Chef Cosmo Goss is one of the rising stars of the culinary world. With high end restaurant experience in California, New York and Chicago, Goss currently runs a restaurant in Ensenada, Mexico.

He also consults for a variety of restaurant interests around the world—including the Zancudo Lodge in Golfito, Costa Rica. In addition to his culinary prowess, Goss is a passionate angler who has fished far and wide (after the Bubba event, he spent two weeks in Africa catching a pile of tigerfish). Goss frequently works with Bubba at events (at the 2019 ICAST Show he carved a whole bluefin tuna into sushi for the booth attendees).

The menu over the two plus days included low country boils, oysters, roast chicken, squash and grouper… it was wide open. Around here, we tend to be better at describing fishing and blue marlin than the taste and experience of food… but it was really, really good to a level not often achieved. To ensure that nobody died of thirst during the event, Bubba brought in cases and cases of Bubba Beer–a blonde ale brewed by one of their partner breweries in Charleston.

Before dinner on the second day, Charleston-based photographer and fly fishing guide Capt. Jeremy Clark hosted me on a flood tide redfish jaunt. The wind was blowing pretty good, but the scenery was incredible. Tailing redfish, with their heads in the mud searching the flooded marsh grasses, are perhaps the most iconic image of the Low Country’s inshore fishery. Jeremy finds them.

After dinner, drinks and an evening of talking fishing, it was back to the barn. Bubba’s apparel is quality.  Their approach to fishing, eating and the lifestyle that surrounds all of it is quite a bit of fun too. When it comes to lifestyle branding, and the ways in which fishing products and apparel are produced and marketed, it is a great company to be associated with. Charleston’s Groundswell Public Relations played host and handled logistics for the trip. These are some nice, good folks too. We appreciate the hospitality.

For more on the the expansion of Bubba and it’s full line of products and apparel, please visit: www.bubbablade.com .

 

Bertram Announces New Outboard Sportfish Boats

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TAMPA, FLA. – October 28, 2019 — Iconic American boat builder Bertram Yachts is delighted to announce today that the company is planning to expand its range of offshore fishing boats to include a comprehensive lineup of outboard powered products.

Mark Paulhus, Bertram CEO, stated that “With the support of Bertram’s parent company, the Gavio Group, who also owns Italian super yacht builders Baglietto and CCN, Bertram plans to spend in excess of $15,000,000 on new product development over the next four years to expand our portfolio of products into premium outboard powered boats starting in the high 20 foot range.”  Bertram has also indicated that the company will continue to invest in expanding production capacity at the company’s Tampa Florida facility over the next two years to support the expected increases in volume.

The company is currently wrapping up construction of the first 50’ sport express model which will debut at the Miami International Boat Show in February 2020 and will start introduction of the new outboard powered products at Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show next year.
According to Tommy Thompson, Bertram’s V.P. of Sales, “The introduction of the new outboard portfolio will certainly allow Bertram to increase its North American presence by giving boaters an outboard option that lives up to the Bertram ride and quality that they have come to expect.  As a result, we are also planning a significant expansion in our dealer sales channel over the next 12 months.” Bertram’s inboard diesel powered 35’ bridge and 61’ convertible models have done particularly well in international markets with products delivered to Europe, Asia, Central America and the Caribbean over the last year. Thompson further stated that “There is also a strong international and domestic interest in Bertram’s new 50’ open and sport express inboard diesel models and the company has already started taking orders for these products.”
Bertram has indicated that they are in the process of signing an exclusive outboard engine supply agreement with Mercury Marine.  According to Paulhus, “Our partnership with Mercury will allow us to achieve the level of boat, engine and systems integration excellence necessary to ensure that the new Bertram models deliver the product performance and reliability that the company has long been known for.”  Bertram Yachts continues to be an innovative manufacturer, inspired by tradition but always pushing to be a little bolder and drive a little further. The company believes that the no-compromises approach to boat/engine integration, along with premium construction materials and manufacturing techniques, will deliver a class-leading boat to the market.  Randy Caruana, Mercury Marine Vice President of Sales said, “We are excited to work closely with Bertram as they develop their new outboard-powered offering. Bertram’s designs combine both modern luxury and sophistication making this an ideal partnership for both companies.”

The Story Behind Their First- Hatteras Yachts

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The original Hatteras Yachts fiberglass boat sitting on land at the boat yard

Crew at work on the Knit Wits, the original fiberglass “convertible” from Hatteras Yachts.

Hatteras Yachts, Knit Wits

Nearly 60 years ago, Hatteras Yachts leapt to the forefront of the big-game sportfishing industry with the introduction of the very first fiberglass boat over 40-feet in length. Named Knit Wits, the 41-foot “convertible” was the brain child of textile magnet Willis Slane of Highpoint, North Carolina. She rolled out of the shed in 1960.

“Slane was a member of the Marlin Club over in Cape Hatteras,” says Joe Cacopardo, Director of Marketing for Hatteras/Cabo Yachts. “He was pretty well off and he and his buddies all had wooden fishing boats. But the seas off Hatteras can be pretty rough much of the year and Slane found himself sitting at the dock waiting out the weather quite a bit. He decided he wanted to build a boat that could take on the heavy seas without breaking and decided to try the new ‘miracle fiber’ called fiberglass. It was real space-age stuff at that time.”

Amazingly enough, Slane encountered a bit of hesitation when he told people he wanted to build a boat out of fiber-glass. People thought the material was actual glass and didn’t think that would make a very strong bottom! Slane eventually talked some investors into taking the gamble and was soon set on building a solid fiberglass boat that could take a beating and keep on fishing.

The Hatteras Yachts Knit Wits cruising down a North Carolina river

The Knit Wits splashed.

“That first boat was a convertible,” says Cacopardo, “Which meant that you could have the luxury yacht experience and still get out and fish when you wanted to. That whole seakeeping ability and robustness still represents our core philosophy to this day, in both our sportfishers and motor yachts. We’ve never built wooden boats. Hatteras became very dominant in the 60s and 70s by taking that leap in fiberglass. It was one of the things that reshaped and moved the industry forward to where it is today.”

Cacopardo acknowledges that a Hatteras might be a bit heavier but that the tunnel design, gear ratios and propulsion systems offset any disadvantages of weight, while keeping all the advantages that weight can bring. “Our captains tell us that in 6-footers they can put the hammer down and power through while other boats have to back off or get beat up. Our boats can handle it. Some others might be lighter and have a higher top end in the flat, but when there’s a sea change we can handle it…and handle it well.”

Hatteras continues to build exceptional, yacht-quality sportfishers to this day and is now working with Chris and Laura Jessen on a new 65 Convertible. “The Jessen’s will also be fishing and campaigning the Hatterascal in several Gulf Coast tournaments this summer. The new 65 will represent a new generation for us, at least from a styling and design standpoint. However, it will still contain our core DNA; ruggedly-built boats with meticulous attention to detail,” says Cacopardo. “All those things will stay the same, but the designs will continue to evolve to meet people’s tastes as they change in the future.”

As a testament to how solid a Hatteras is built, you can still go take a ride on the original Knit Wits at the factory in New Bern, North Carolina…and she looks amazing.

One of the owners of the Hatteras Yachts Knit Wits cracks a bottle of champagne over the bow before she splashes

The launch of the Knit Wits, nearly 60 years ago, was a newsworthy event, the influence of which can still be felt today.

Bertram’s First Boat

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A series of articles about sportfishings first builds by Dave Ferrell. Reprinted from Volume 18 Edition 5 July/August InTheBite Magazine

Showing one of Bertram Yachts first boats ever

The Moppie, the first 31 Bertram, would win the 1960 and 1961 Miami to Nassau Race.

To build any boat from scratch is a magical thing. Having the gumption to take a big pile of your own money and turn it into a pile of materials that you intend to turn into a boat goes way beyond my perception or capabilities. Taking another fella’s money and trying to do it for the first time must spin the term “nerve wracking” to incredible new heights. Nevertheless, there’s always a few pioneers who step up and make something new that the boat-building industry just can’t ignore. Here are just a few examples of boats that have made a difference…there are plenty many more in North Carolina, Florida and elsewhere….

Richard Bertram Yachts, Moppie

No matter what far flung port you pull into, if there’s the tiniest chance that someone could catch a billfish, you’ll probably find a 31-Bertram, or two, still running folks out to the blue water. Pretty much indestructible, the huge cockpit and great ride of the Deep-V hull design, cemented the venerable 31-Bertram into boat building and sport fishing history.

To get some background into how the company started, we turned to Morgan Bertram, son of Richard Bertram, the company’s founder. “The first 31 was built of wood at the Richard Bertram Yard on the Miami River. That boat, Moppie, won the 1960 Miami to Nassau Race by a wide margin. A Sports Illustrated article written about the race by the boat’s navigator, Charlton Mitchel, brought national attention to the design and its performance. The demand for a 31 was so great that they decided to make a plug off the wood Moppie to initiate fiberglass production of the 31. The first fiberglass 31 was built in Hialeah and would become Glass Moppie which won the 1961 Miami Nassau Race and a bunch of other races that year. My father purchased the property across the street from the Richard Bertram Yacht Yard and built a state of the art fiberglass boat manufacturing facility and started building the 31, 25, and 38s there. So technically, the Glass Moppie represents the very first Bertram Yacht,” Bertram describes.

Tommy Thompson, Product Development Manager at Richard Bertram Yachts, likes to point out that the original 31s weren’t just great boats in their time, but that they’ve gained a mythology all their own. “Hunker down if someone starts a story with, ‘I’ll tell you a story about the time I ran a 31 Bertram from…’”

Sure enough, if you name any top-notch bill fishing spot in the Caribbean, Gulf or Central or South America, the first sportfisher to chug into the inlet or harbor was probably some crazy guy making an incredible crossing on a 31-Bertram. They aren’t very big, but they are seaworthy and will definitely get you where you are going!

Bertram 31- one of the first for the boat builder

An early 31 Bertram which made its debut in 1961. 

“The ‘Deep V’ really over simplifies the bottom of the 31,” says Thompson, “More important, is that the dead rise carries all the way back to the transom. No matter how you explain the geometry, that bottom revolutionized the offshore boating industry. We looked hard at what it is about the 31 that has survived for three generations. Our new 35 captures the four main attributes that we think made the 31 so successful and popular with sport fishermen. First, it’s the timeless shape of the boat…it’s cool looking and inviting. Second, the low profile…low center of gravity that makes it so functional. Third, the ‘more-cockpit-than-house’ proportions that make it so practical, and of course, fourth, the ride. All of those same attributes carry over to our new 50 and 61 as well. We have captured more subtly the shapes of the famous Bertram 54, and kept the ride at Bertram’s core philosophy. It has to be a Bertram!”

 

ZF Offers Free Repower Seminar at Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show

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Repower banner for Ft Lauderdale Boat Show

If you’ll be at FLIBS 2019, October 30 to November 3, and you know that it’s the right time to be Rethinking about your Repower, then sign up for our seminar “Everything you wanted to know about a repower but we’re afraid to ask.”

These one-hour seminars, held at the ZF Booth at Bahia Mar Land #1042 on Friday 11/1 and Saturday 11/2, will be presented by Steve D’Antonio, a consultant in the marine industry for over 10 years. The one hour will consist of his 45-minute presentation on the repower process, and then a 15-minute Q&A session.
Please register for one of the times listed below.

  • Friday, November 1, 11am-noon
  • Friday, November 1, 2pm-3pm
  • Saturday, November 2, 11am-noon
  • Saturday, November 2, 2pm-3pm

To Sign Up Follow This Link