The BERTRAM build

I know it's not a BLACKMAN but I thought you guys would like to see this build in progress. Last Week my good friend Chuck and I bought this cult classic 31 Bertram. On Thursday we pulled it out of the water to start the build of our Island Dream boat. This boat will be built the way we want, on a great hull. Some will cry, some will laugh and some will say WTF for taking a saw to such a awesome boat.
Before
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...6/a6f68092.jpg
Starting the cutting to remove the bridge(James working hard)
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...6/1c8268b0.jpg
The bridge is off
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...604_121228.jpg
buy the end of the day we had the cabin off(What a bitch) there was no way to save the 25 year old Bertram stuff.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...6/4f62845e.jpg
By the end of the day 12 full hours
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...6/556f4074.jpg

Do I see an Outerbanks in the making?

Good luck. I hope you dont run out of $$$ and energy. Looks like a large project. Do you have a completion date set or just go along as your interests lasts. It is sure nice to have a partner helping out.

Hope that Bertram was a good deal. Looks like your building a new boat.

Trust me fellas..... Joe has No interest loss in anything nautical, and they got a great deal on this beautiful girl. When this baby is completed, which will be sooner than later, we will all get a chance to see the first 31' outterbanks hybrid! BAD ASS Joe......Zack

Very nice Joe. Keep the pics coming.

Thanks for the kind words All!! Yep Phil that's exactly what you see, the 31 Outerbanks that was never built. The first half of today was spent cleaning up the mess we left yesterday. After lunch we continued with the demo and removal of the upper half of the deck, cleats, and misc. other stuff. Next we removed the old bulk heads. This is a slow process to do it clean and neat with out thrashing the hull. I wont be able to work on it again till Friday. I'll post more progress then. Joe
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...6/804fbf65.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...6/851df0dd.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...6/1ea15615.jpg

Boat porn! Keep it coming and best of luck.

Wow that is quit a project to undertake. I cant wait to see it finished.

Man I was only kidding when I said I've never seen a Bertram Pilothouse;Thank God you got a taste of WSB on the maiden voyage as it looks like you'll be busy for awhile! Good luck, keep the pics coming, and if you need anything from down this way let me know and I'll get it too you.

You got a trailer for that beast ? I love those custom Boat Jackstands, if they were beer kegs I'd be worried! Did you ever mention what she's powered with?

Looks like Cummins. Of some sort.
That is quite a project.

P

Thanks Jeff, The engines are Cummins 555. Not my first choice but they only have 900 hours on them and(knock on wood) they run good. Cummins are cheap to fix and you can get parts anywhere.

Very cool! Can't wait to see more pics of the progress.