On Wed, 17 Nov 2004 08:30:41 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:
Wayve, there's a pretty decent 33' for sale at a yard across from our
local West Marine store. A fellow I know is looking at the boat, and
I've climbed aboard it myself with him. Seller wants in the high $80s.
I've not looked that closely at the boat, and I have no idea whether the
price is in range.

It has gas engines, and the friend is thinking it might be worth
converting to diesels. Do you know anyone who has done that...and what
was involved, in terms of cost? My friend asked, and I told him,
"probably as much as the boat is selling for now..." But that was just a
wild-assed guess on my part.

Assuming a pair of, say, 350-hp straight six diesels, what would you
guess as to performance? And do you think the the boat, if it is in
reasonable shape now (no survey in hand), is worth spending $120,000 on
to bring back into tip-top share? That would be $80,000 on engines and
mechanicals, and another $40,000 for various rehabbing.

Just curious. Nothing I'd buy.

=============================================

The Bertram 33 is a great boat with a fresh pair of 350 hp diesels.
Cruising speed is over 25 kts and range should be at least 250 to 300
miles. The conversion cost from gas is $80 to $100K assuming you do
the generator at the same time, and depending on who does the work.

$80K is probably too much for used gas unless it has been repowered or
nicely rebuilt. Mine was an '83 in near bristol condition with a lot
of extras and sold for less than that. A 33 with used diesels
typically has an asking price of $100 to $150K depending on age,
condition and engine hours. A comparable new boat with diesels is
well over $300K and may not be as well built as the older Berts.
Value is all in the eye of the beholder and how you intend to use the
boat. I would not hesitate for a second to take a well equipped 33
100 miles offshore in any reasonable weather.