Submersion recovery

Hi,

What is this boat worth in good working condition?

If the engines have been allowed to sit for anything more than a few hours after submersion I would say that at least some if not all cylinders will be in need of refurbishment, it doesn't take long for salt to attack the crank and fuel gear either.

If it was underwater it will be a very close thing as to whether it is actually worth repairing or not.

Wyattb,


I would start by gutting the entire boat with the exception of mechanical parts; engines and generator. Assuming you can get the motors running again, know that their life has been severely shortened. Appalachicola...was the boat sunk in brackish or salt? (Less salt the better.) All or at least some of the wiring in the boat will be compromised.

There are plenty of project boats out there sitting on the hill with no engines, but you know where this one came from. It won't be a surprise.

Just dry it out and have a deep pocket.

I have of course not seen the boat, but I think you will end up much higher than 50´before it is finished, plus the job...

If you can get one for $35-50,000 ready to go, you'd be better off in the long run then taking on a project like that. IMHO.

Boat prices are down but fixing them is just as expensive as ever.

For a period of time I thought I was experiencing a discount with regard to repair ... but I don't think so anymore.

Give me a 35 foot boat that has been submerged and I can show you how to spend $100k making her beautiful and mechanically perfect again.

There is of course something to be said for getting your hands on a boat for cheap that will some day be what you want ... but it will just ultimately cost much more than finding one in great condition already.

I have the receipts to prove it!

Yeah, unless you are crazy for a Bertram, you should probably just let it go before you dump your money into it. 50k won't go far......

A 1978 Bertram 35 would certainly have spent many years in the charter fishing business. That's ridden hard an put away wet. Beyond that, boats don't sink becuse the bilge pump failed. Something else put in the water that couldn't get bilged out. This also would be a very slow SF by todays standards even if in pime condition, probably a 17 kt. cruise. Add to that the $150- $200G (in money or time & effort & parts) that you'll be investing.....

Hi,

You would yourself a big favour by walking away from that boat purely because of what powers it.

Those motors were junk in land based vehicles and no better in the water based cousins.

Walk away. There are far too many running sportfishes that size that you can pick up for 10-20k more and use. Forget about the engines and gen, it is better to repower then rebuild. If you have dreamed of restoring a 35' Bertram, repowering it and spending $100k on it to make it your way like some people do, then it's a good boat for them.

Agree with what everyone said. There is no way its economically feasible to put that boat back together. Now, if you envisioned a total cost no object refit then its a good deal, as crazy as it may sound I have a tenant that's got three $500k 31 bertrams refits and two $700k+ 54' bertram refits going on right now. Those numbers don't include the purchase price of the vessels either!

Had a client once talk with me about the idea of rehabing ang flipping boats like houses. Gave me a good laugh. Told him he'd be better off playing Keno.

The boats I mentioned are being rebuilt by ridiculously wealthy middle easterners who have developed a vintage bertram fetish.

Assumed that. If they were doing it for profit over the past 2 years...

Beat me to it!

The triple-nickel was more useful where it ended up - on the bottom, as an anchor.