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Bertram 60 Convertible
by Bob Duke
Living Up to a Fine Reputation
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With big 2,800 hp engines, sharp styling and innovative use of interior colors and textures, the Bertram 60 Convertible is nobody’s traditional sportfisher. However, the new Bertram lives up to its builder’s international reputation for comfort, quality and sportfishing prowess.
Underway, the 60 Convertible has what Jim Krueger, Bertram’s vice president of sales, describes as “blow ‘em away speed,” and it exhibits brute strength.
Its cutting-edge styling may surprise some buyers, considering that Bertram is best known for tough, practical fishing machines. However, the 60’s powerful appeal to the senses epitomizes Bertram’s boat line for the 1990s.
Intended to be the successor to the firm’s popular 54 foot convertible, the Bertram 60 Convertible can reach a top speed of about 42 miles per hour with its standard 16V-92TA twin Detroit Diesels. The speed is achieved with full fuel and water tanks, said Steve Besozzi, service manager for The Crow’s Nest in Newport Beach, California, the 1990 Bertram service dealer of the year.
During our sea trial of hull number three, furnished by The Crow’s Nest, the 60 exhibited a solid ride, excellent acceleration and good maneuverability. Whether it is because of good design or a fortunate combination of rudder angle and area, propeller pitch and area or propeller shaft angle and engine torque, the 60 is nimble and responsive.
Another impressive characteristic brought out by the sea trial was the sense of confidence it gives the skipper at the wheel. This is one tough boat, and the hull provides the perfect platform for its powerful engines.
The 60’s exterior styling, following a trend begun in Bertram’s smaller models, minimizes the use of chrome, stainless steel and polished aluminum. It eliminates windshield glass and emphasizes sweeping lines and gentle curves.
Its interior reveals the most drastic change in the Bertram line. The 60’s new high tech, basically monochromatic décor may come as a shock to some Bertram traditionalists.
“We’ve gone from the old, conservative interior to a bright, lively design,” Krueger said. “Lighting is emphasized, and we’ve gone to a maple wood interior. Fabric selection is extensive, and five different color-coordinated interiors are offered. We also offer custom interiors.
“The response at boat shows to the new interiors has been overwhelming.”
It is a well-proportioned interior, with attractive fabrics, colors and accessories assembled by Yacht Interiors of Miami and Philadelphia.
Where abundant natural light and ventilation were once prime criteria for quality yacht accommodations, they have been replaced by artificial light and ventilation on the Bertram 60.
A well-engineered system of direct flood and spot lighting, and indirect and accent lighting makes the accommodations bright, open and airy, and compliments the thoughtfully designed décor. Following the boat’s overall appeal to the senses, the lighting can be adjusted to overcome the gloom of a cloudy day or to enhance a mellow, evening mood.
Unlike traditional boats, none of the three Bertram 60 heads has an opening port or hatch, or any other direct source of natural ventilation. Instead, each of the three staterooms and adjoining heads has its own three-quarter ton air conditioner, and the galley/saloon area is serviced by a two ton air conditioner. Blowers in the heads and galley circulate exhaust air through a system of vents and ducts.
Only two opening ports are provided on the boat, in the port and starboard staterooms. Each stateroom has a skylight-style deck hatch, a safety requirement for emergency escapes. The deckhouse windows do not open.
The 60’s master stateroom is amidships on the port side, the most stable and comfortable location on the boat. It is available with either a walk-around queen-size berth or twin berths. A second stateroom with a queen-size berth is located in the bow, and a third stateroom with upper and lower berths is opposite the master stateroom.
The galley is up, to port. Its maple parquet flooring is accented by plentiful maple cabinets. Galley appliances provided in the standard equipment package include a trash compactor, dishwasher, garbage disposal, upright two-door refrigerator/freezer with ice-maker, and range top with four solid-element burners and a microwave/convection oven. Other amenities include numerous lockers and drawers for provisions, a dish locker, exhaust fan, and double sink with custom accessories.
The adjacent saloon is equipped with a convertible L-shaped settee and high-low table to port. A wet bar and entertainment center are built into the starboard saloon at the companion way.
Drawers, lockers and bins are provided throughout the boat, for generous stowage. The designer and builder went to great lengths to make every area accessible and useful. Fixtures, hardware and fittings are both functional and stylish without being excessively trendy or impractical.
Some of the fit, finish and workmanship displayed in hull number three, however, was not up to Bertram’s usual high standards. Seams, air bubbles and glue residue were visible in the vinyl wall covering used on the bulkheads and hull, and the material was untrimmed and unglued inside drawer and locker frames.
The quality of the rest of the vessel – the hull, machinery installation, wiring, plumbing and hundreds of other details – was equal to the high standards that have earned Bertram its outstanding reputation and loyal following.
Bertram has always done a good job with its engine rooms and this one reflects both thought and experience. The batteries, for example, are right out in the open but not in the way, and they are housed in boxes that make checking the water convenient.
The engine room is positioned under the saloon and galley. It can be entered through a hatch in the galley sole or from the cockpit. Even though it is packed with two 16 cylinder diesel engines and two 15 kilowatt auxiliary generators, it is still possible to move around easily and everything is reasonably accessible.
The cockpit is a modest but adequate 144 square feet, and is outfitted with coaming pads, port and starboard coaming storage lockers, a bait tank, freezer, sink and tackle center. A transom door is standard equipment.
A ladder form the cockpit provides access to the flying bridge. Cockpit visibility from the flying bridge is good. Guest seating for five is available forward of the helm console, and a small folding table is hinge to the flybridge coaming. A refrigerator and ice-maker on the bridge are standard equipment.
A grabrail is provided around the top edge of the Venturi windshield, but its usefulness is limited by the fact it is supported by the windshield panes themselves, instead of the coaming.
The base price for the Bertram 60, delivered in Newport Beach, California, is just under $1.2 million. Only a dozen options are offered, thanks to Bertram’s extensive list of standard equipment, so the base price delivers a complete boat ready to outfit with fishing gear and electronics.
Western skippers must be going for Bertram speed and comfort in a big way, because The Crow’s Nest has become the world’s number one Bertram dealer. This is no small feat, especially when you consider that Bertrams are built in Miami and sold by the thousands on the East Coast.
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This article first appeared in the November 1990 issue of Sea Magazine. All or parts of the information contained in this article might be outdated. |
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