'76 32' Sportfisherman

[Lobuks]

First let me say....Great site...Lots of great info here...

I just purchased a '76 32' Sportfisherman...If I have an inexpensive dreamboat, this it...Probably as close as I'll ever get to owning a Bertrum..Mine is a leftover '75 as it only has an 11' beam but it will do... The question I have is where and how would you install a genset in a boat that has never had one? A couple of pics of one installed would be great....

Thanks for any info....

Neale aka LB

[rossjo]

Add batteries and an inverter - charge at the dock (or solar panels) and use shore power for your AC!

[JuiceClark]

I'm with Ross...make sure your inverter is top notch and your batteries plentiful. The best thing I ever did was throw my 8KW genny is the garbage.

I keep a 2KW Honda portable in the cabinet on the side of the salon...just in case the batteries go kaput I'll set it on the cockpit and plug into shore power. But the time for A/C is at the dock.

ps...if you bottom fish like me, forget the Bertram. It's like a see-saw on the hook.

[Lobuks]

Thanks for the info......I have a 2.5k inverter, I can't remember the manufacturer offhand...I just sold a Hart 2k inverter/charger before I got this boat...No place for it in a 23' Carver....I am curious as to how you all knew it was for A/C yjough lol....I can always add it to the engines and plumb it in...

I am in Michigan and we troll, never bottom fish....My wife has it in her head that in 5 years we are moving to rossjo's neck of the woods...That's gonna be one heck of a boat ride....

LB

[JuiceClark]

I just assumed a/c because it's the only thing that requires a genny. I even replace nearly all the lights on the boat with led so there very little draw. I just found marine, gas generators to be heavy, short-lived, somewhat dangerous and expensive.

Tony in Sw FL

[Lobuks]

I guess we are going to strip the boat and paint it with Imron...The old gelcoat is not going to give us the color and finish that we want...Any do's or don'ts that I should be aware of? I have an expert that is going to shoot the paint but am just curious as to whether any of you that have done this have had any issues....

Thanks....

[JuiceClark]

I rolled and tipped mine with Imron...good paint and it came out pretty darn good. I had to do two coats because the first was too white - hurt your eyes on a sunny day.

The main thing is don't sand anything until you wipe off the surfaces, bigtime, with m. spirits. If you sand that old wax down into the gelcoat, you'll be most likely to flake in that spot.

Imron, in my experience, is so great...hard to scratch, etc. Someone in here gave me the good tip to leave the paint in an air conditioned room until you use it. I painted mine when it was hot and it set-up a bit fast. But your pro sprayer can handle that part.

I think all old boats should be painted...it just protects the cored decks that much more. You want to seal all those pores and tiny cracks that allow moisture down toward the balsa.

[Lobuks]

I have a small repair at the port bulkhead on the main deck to fix. It is only like an inch wide and less than the width of the engine hatch. That was all the surveyor found...Then the deck is going to be painted as well. My plan was to paint the boat snow blind white but it appears from your post that, that isn't a good idea lol...I will be off to the paint store tomorrow to inspect the paint chips in the sunlight and order it...

I am curious as to whether you all add anything to the dash area to cut down on the glare onto the wihdshield and if so what? I also would like to know where I can find any teak. I want to replace the step pads and the railing around the rear of the boat. The teak that is there is weather worn pretty bad...

Thanks again for all the info...

Neale

[Paul]

Neale,

I'm not sure where in Michigan you live but if you're near Detroit try Pudlic Lumber for your teak. Great inventory & good pricing.

[Lobuks]

I am 300 miles north west of Detroit in Ludington...As much as I despise that area of the state, I may have to make the trip there to get it...I was hoping that maybe I could get it shipped to me lol....Heck of a lot cheaper than the fuel to get to Detroit....and less time consuming...I am hoping to splash this big boys toy in the water just after the 4th but it is not going in looking like crap!!!! I will wait til next year if need be....

thanks,
Neale

[Mac32]

Neal,
I know it is a little drive but if you get a chance there is a place called Wolfs down in benton harbor that has plenty of teak steps, trim, plywood, rough cut and even scrap cuts they sell by the pound. The last teak I bought was a hunk of solid 2x2x36 for about $16 The also have quite a bit of used stuff electrical, hatches ect that is old close out inventory or used.

The other place I would try is Johnson Lumber in grand rapids. http://www.theworkbench.com/

Hope this helps
Fred

[Lobuks]

Mac32,

I think you have it...It looks as though they may have everything I need without me having to rework it much...Theres a tackle store I want to visit down there anyways...SWWEEETTT!!!!! LOL ...We are just about done stripping the boat...then comes the sanding and then moving it inside to paint ...300.00 to move a boat 30 feet...Highway robbery I tell yah...

Thanks,
Neale

[Lobuks]

I am curious if any of you have replaced the headliner in one of these and if so where did you purchase the material? I need to replace one section where the squirrels made a nice nest...and rather than have a nice new white panel and 5 dingy ones, I figured I'd replace all of it...I guess the small amount of teak I need is trivial now lol....

Neale

[rossjo]

I made a nice dark blue dash pad that iimproves visibility 100% by cutting the reflection on the windshield.

I have ahd to do this on my other express boat, as wella s previous boats I;ve owned. Works great and easy to make from In/Out-door type carpet .