Bertram 32
 

So, here´s another topic up for discussion! How many Bertram 32 competitions were produced? I´m thinking along the lines of Mona Lou, Mongoose (?), Canadian Moppie, Red Tornado etc.

And apart from the outboard powered 32 that I recently saw on another thread, were there any other different engine configurations to the twin petrol inboard (of which I think all were one engine behind and one engine forward of the crew)?? Although having said that I now recall that in the UK there was a racer called McQueen´s Jeans which was twin diesel power!

And were any hulls produced that utilised stern drives as opposed to shafts??

Marco - Pictures??!

Re: Bertram 32
 

Hello Littlenige,

Check with Phil M on here, he had one in the early 70s he put a teak deck on it, if i remember correctly?

Thank you
Jim

Re: Bertram 32
 

Nigel,the Bertram was 31' not 32'.
However that 31'of 1967(because the first Bertram was in the same lenght)was one of the first Bertram not designed by Raymond Hunt but the new designer R.Specht. I think was builded about ten boats,between 1967-70.
The first was My Moppie of Dick Bertram with #8 and was with the props axles with a reversing system. In the same year appeared the Peter Rittmaster's Master Moppie,#15 and the Sternwinder of Bill Sirois with # 90.
In 1968 raced the new Ronda Lee and Mona Lou IV of Odell Lewis,the Bobby Rautbord's Patty Lou,then Fino with #18.
After the loss of him Magnum 28' Tornado at the CTC of 1968,Balestrieri bought the Sternwinder,renamed Yellow Tornado #90 and #4.
In 1969 appeared the Bill Wishnick's Boss O'Nova,#23 that was the former Mona Lou IV of Lewis. Then the two 31' of the Tornado Racing Team of Cosentino e Balestrieri,Red Tornado #4 and the White Tornado #89. One of the two was the former Sternwinder-Yellow Tornado(I think the White Tornado). In 1970 the last 31'; the only with 4 Mercury outboards of Doug Silvera,Quicksilver # 303 and the Maelstrom #8 of Eddie Le Carreaux. There was the first boat of the young Italian driver Ronny Bonelli that bought from Rittmaster the American Moppie former Master Moppie. It was renamed Mister Charlie #69.
In 1972 appeared the Canadian Moppie #123 of Tim Powell and Miss WD-04,#5, of the German Oskar Trost that bought it from Bobby Rautbord.
There was the Mongoose of Betty Cook,her first Open boat,like you have wrote. It had a advanced cockpit but I don't know if was a former other 31'.
From 1968 the Bertrams 31' had their transom changed to guest the stern drives.

That's it all I know about.

Re: Bertram 32
 

Here is a shot of Bill Wishnick's Boss o Nova.


www.historicraceboats.com

Re: Bertram 32
 

And another high flyer. One of the famous Tornado boats.

More of these on the site.

www.historicraceboats.com

Re: Bertram 32
 

Here is a rare outboard powered Bertram.

www.historicraceboats.com

Re: Bertram 32
 

Many thanks Charlie!
Note the #90 and the name Sternwinder on the transom of the former owner Bill Sirois. This pic was taken during the iami-Nassau of 1968. In the next race,the Hennessy-Key West,Don Pruett brought to the victory the same Bertram,but carring the Balestrieri's traditional #4.

Here another shot but in colour in that Miami-Nassau. On left Don Pruett Balestrieri's throttleman in 1967-69.
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8...r1resizlr9.jpg

Re: Bertram 32
 

Quicksilver I think was the only Bertram 31' equipped with outboards engines. Doug Silvera brought it to the victory in the Bahamas 500 of 1970.
It was the most important overall victory in a offshore race for a outboard boat in the history.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/1...70resizag6.png

Re: Bertram 32
 

The famous Boss O'Nova, of Wishnick was the most winner Bertram 31'; seven race won between 1969 and 1970.
Then in 1971 Wishnick went to the Cigarette to win the World Title.

Re: Bertram 32
 

Here the first Peter Rittmastr's Master Moppie of 1967. Note the props axles. The engines was two afterward the cockpit with the gear boxes looking forward and a reverse system under the cockpit.
I think that maybe it bacame the Tim Powell's Canadian Moppie.
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/5...oppie67ng9.png

Re: Bertram 32
 

The white/blue American Moppie was drove by Rittmaster in the 1969's American season winning the Hennessy Grand Prix.
http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/809...69resizun8.png
Then in 1970 the Italian rookie Ronny Bonelli bought it and drove the Sam Griffith Memorial with the Commander Attilio Petroni. In the 1971 with the new Cigarette 36' Lady Nara the couple won the CTC with rough seas.
Mister Charlie was then repainted in yellow/dark blue colours and became one of the cafe' racer boats of the Bonelli's fleet in Viareggio.
http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/6...ieresizef1.png

Re: Bertram 32
 

I was there for that Race in Freeport Bahamas, building a factory there for some clients - watched the race from a 96 ft. Burger (Yacht) - and got hooked - it was a rough race too - 500 miles - over several days - not circle inshore racing as "offshore" is called today.

Also in another Thread - my 2nd. Bertram - was a TEST boat - that Sammy James ran for the company - along with the astronaut, who I can't remember. (senior moment !) My 36 was the test boat to find out where to put running strakes- they were moveable - and were built to different sizes for experiments only.
My 36 actually came out of a 40 ft. mold - and the 38 was a Cut down version of that mold - also to save weight and improve visibility, the front sides of the boat were slanted -

The 31 Bertrams - ala Boss Nova, were dropped in favor of the new 38 - to compete with Cigarette .

PHIL

The Photo with Copper Kettle, and Blonde - shows my 36 with Sam James, and the Astronaut Gordon Cooper

the other photo is when I converted it to a pleasure boat - after using it as a Sports class boat - We ran the race around Cape Cod - almost sank it - as we tore off both running strakes at the read of the boat and were standing in water - when finishing the event - that was when racing was racing - a ONE WAY TRIP - around CAPE COD -

Many Memories - MUCH FUN too !

Re: Bertram 32
 

http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/195...e196901qk2.jpg
At the Bahamas 500 of 1969 still a photofinish like the year before.
The new explosive 32' of Aronow(without the helmet) The Cigarette won the race for a few seconds on the Mona Lou of Odell Lewis.
After two attempts failed a Bertram 31' won the race the next year with the outboarded Quicksilver.

Re: Bertram 32
 

Phil
Your Blue Bertram Baron was the boat that got alot of us from N.J. into ocean racers back in the day. I remember looking at that and saying one day I will have a boat like that........ Thanks !!

Steve

Re: Bertram 32
 

Here the stern of the White Tornado.
We can see how was modified the design of the transom with a "cut" to flat partially the transom itself to lodge the stern drives and the flaps.

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/4334/white70app0.jpg

Re: Bertram 32
 

Phil talks about the moveable running strakes onthe test boats.

I remember being with Mike Gordon in '64 at a Bertram test in Miami, where the boat had movable strakes. They would run the boat and then change the strakes and run it again.

After like 5 times, they came in and said.... this is it...we finally have the right combo...the boat came out of the water and we all crowded around to see what the magic combo was and....yup, one side had no strakes at all, they had washed off....lots of red faces after that one.

Re: Bertram 32
 

By the way......this sport has more than it's share of colorful characters over the years....some of which have had to...... shall we say move on, a step ahead of being nabbed by the you know who.

Well, for a guy who lives in Lithuania, Marco knows a lot about this sport and he has the real answers, not just stuff he read in magazines.....okay Marco tell us who you really are!!!

Re: Bertram 32
 

The first 31'.
My Moppie. It was the last boat raced by Dick Bertram in 1967-1969.
http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/6569/mymoppie67lm7.png

and maybe the last.
Maelstrom of Ed Le Carreaux in 1970.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9...70resizip7.png

In 4 years of races the Bertrams 31' won 20 races.
The first was in 1967 with the Sterndriver of Bill Sirois.
In 1968 was three the victories; onother for the Sternwinder of Sirois,then the former Sternwinder re-named Yellow Tornado won with Don Pruett and at last the Mona Lou IV of Odell Lewis.
In the 1969 ,9 victories; 4 to Red Tornado of Balestrieri,three for Boss O'Nova for Wishnick,one each for the White Tornado of Cosentino and American Moppie of Rittmaster.
At last 7 victories in 1970; 4 to Boss O'Nova and one victory each to Red Tornado of Cosentino,Quicksilver of Silvera and Fino of Rautbord.


You can see others interesting pics of the experimental Ronda Lee with three engines drove by John Bakos in the end of the 1967's season and by Odell Lewis in 1968 on Horba site in Members Only letter "S".
Others beautiful pics in colour of the Red Tornado,White Tornado and Canadian Moppie you can find in the Graham's Library on the British Boatmad.

Re: Bertram 32
 

Lithuania haven't a offshore memory. They are nothing by the sea :drink: . I live there by the moment but I'm an Italian...with the soul of some big Offshore guys inside me maybe....but without never running :( ....and with a lot of attention to the details.... :cool:

Re: Bertram 32
 

Marco, you are doing a great job..... and we are all very grateful for the information that you give us here.....thank you.

If you come to the states, we will give you a ride in one of these old race boats.

Re: Bertram 32
 

Many Thanks Charlie. I would like be in the cockpit of your Benihana-Spirit!

P.S. Rather have you already certainly decided to restore it as a Benihana?
Would be right doing Benihana on a side and Spirit on the other one, not? :cool:

Re: Bertram 32
 

Do they have a green with envy smilie??!!

Here´s one of Graham´s shots!

Re: Bertram 32
 

Hi Steve - Yes, it was quite a boat - it also was the cover boat - for the Bertram Brochure too - and it eventually got on the cover (along with others) on the NY Boat Show - circa around 1975 or so -

Here are some photos for you - Hi to your family - great shots of your boat - in the other Thread - well done !

The photos are of the 28 Barron - airborne -, another is at the dock after the race in 1972 -

Re: Bertram 32
 

I think that a common trait for offshore racers is the fact that our legs are best left out of camera range....down deep in the cockpit of the boat.

It answers that age old questioon...."Why did God invent long pants for.....men?"

Re: Bertram 32
 

Hi Phil!
Your photos are always beautiful and interesting!
Can you tell us something speaking of the creation of the Bertram 38'?. For instance in the prototype of 36' of your photos is noticed that the hull and the relative rrunnings strakes are alike to those of the Cigarette 36', but then 38' that all of us know it has a more thin keel and the runnings strakes return to be very similar to those of the precedents 31', of which speak in this thread.
What do you think about?
And because' Gordon Cooper abandons' the idea to keep on racing. Was it afraid of his safety?'

Re: Bertram 32
 

Hello Marco - I know the Test boat I bought from Bertram - had a 1/8 - YES - 1/8 inch Plywood deck - you could not walk on it- it was for LOOKS only ! It also was out of a 40 Ft. Mold - just for testing - as the 38 had a different V or dead rise - not as deep as the Test boat - To save weight - they cut down the sides in front of the cockpit - and it was a natural for air vents to the engine compartment - Sammy would put vents at the rear that would open when pressurized - he knew his Stuff.

Sammy was fearless - and always a Character - fun to be around, and just a unique person - !

Here are some photos - of what happened to me - after a short stint of racing - enjoy !

PHIL

The Photo of me with the Jet Ranger - was taken at Palermo Airport - - it was a two day trip from London to Malta - flying from London to the South of France the first day - then on to Olbia, Palermo- and finally Malta - on the second day - flying over water for almost an entire day - with just diversions to get fuel - was if nothing else - a little nerve racking !

Re: Bertram 32
 

Phil - cut down the decks to save weight?? Did it save that much?? Still - I´m glad they did ´cos I love the deck shape and even those intakes!

Re: Bertram 32
 

Many Thanks Phil!
You write always a lot of intersting things!
Very nice pics of you like cameraman. I think it was a hard trip on chop over the Mediterranean Sea. Do you went to a Class 1 in Malta? Very beautiful location had that race. Then the kilo speed with the final part inside the harbour of La Valletta it was very full of adrenaline!

Re: Bertram 32
 

Hi Marco - in 1992 - I worked for UIM - and Walter Ragazzi - I have written him a letter, but no reply - so if you do hear from him - or have a email address - I would love to contact him again -

When I made the deal to film for the UIM group - they told me - they would be able to aquire Helicopter services from local helicopter companies - I said NO - that is the most important part of my work - having the Tripod - or Camera mount - in the right position - anyone can film - but its where you put the camera - and how steady you have it - that counts - For years earlier - we were famous for our "live" narration - having some one say what they see - or comment on what is happening - at times - I even tried two narrators at the same time - like our American football has here - (John Madden, and Pat Summerall) it would work for a while - but the competition to say the most - and know it all - well - I was just a referee in the air at times - (glad what was said by me at the time never made it out of the Cabin of the Helicopter ) -


So my deal with UIM - was to supply tape - in PAL format - actually I never got any copies of what i had done - but for sure it was some of the most interesting and fun loving racing - Racers in Europe seemd to have the thought of racing together - not running alone - but rather - to race as FAST as they could - but Also - as SLOW as they could by staying together - and keeping the equipment from imploding ! It was a Turkey shoot for me - easy - fun - and very very exciting - another reason I would want to get a hold of Walter Ragazzi to see if any of those films are still around - the UIM ones i filmed for them

I was given a Trial race - in Southern France - BINGO - it worked - and from then on - that season - I was flying to Europe once a month to film the other events -

Well - you got me wound up - Racing was Racing there in Europe - Malta, Viareggio (bad weather) - Guernsey, Ostende, and the first one - the trial race at St. Tropez France.

My best to you Marco -

PHIL

The Photos are 1. flying thru the Alps - in the summer - (Snow still there ) crossing from France via: Bern Swtz. then on to Milan - and Genoa - then to Viareggio - Me in a Arab dress in Dubai - photo courtesy of Ron Thibedeau who was with me there.

Re: Bertram 32
 

Here was my 28 Barron w/440 Olds motors installed by Malcom Smith.

Re: Bertram 32
 

great stuff

Re: Bertram 32
 

Great Photos - Steve - I remember Malcom when he put those Olds engines in that boat - what a squeeze - side by side ! the Orrignial straight line big 6 cy. were easy in comparison. Only You - YOU - would pull that rig with a Lincoln - do you use a Caddy to pull your Cigarette ? haha - great Photos !

PHIL

Re: Bertram 32
 

Phil,The address of Ragazzi is that right,because I asked to my friend that work in a bank and they have access to the people datas.
I remember that he had a firm in the textiles,Harvey & Crombie.
I have tried to look for something on internet but I have not found anything.
I think to have a series of tapes of Class 1 of that years because' there was a television net that made some transmissions after the competitions, (maybe they are really yours)but they are in VHS and I don't know whether to duplicate it.
But have you also made shot of competitions in the first years of seventy perhaps?
About the pics of you I think that the third one isn't in Genoa but maybe was shot in Sicily(Palermo) or in Spain.

Re: Bertram 32
 

Marco - the third Photo of me near the lake - was shot in MALTA -

PHIL

Re: Bertram 32
 

Phil - wow you must have seen some fantastic action! Were you in Malta in 93?? I was too. Fantastic venue as Marco says. And if I recall rightly that year they had missed a timed kilo run from a previous race, so the fans were given a double whammy - not one but 2 timed kilo runs into the harbour. THe noise was incredible as I´m sure you have witnessed yourself - especially so as the noise reverberated over the whole town as it bounced off the various harbour walls. Spine tingling!!!!!

Re: Bertram 32
 

And the number of class 1 boats was phenominal - over 25 I think!!

Re: Bertram 32
 

Is is the angle of the photograph or were the props really that low in the water back then??

Marco if Master Moppie became Canadian Moppie, I think it then became McQueen´s Jeans - as seen in another Beken Calender! Once I get my scanner working again I will try to upload a photo. When I was younger I got into trouble with a local yard in Cowes after climbing aboard McQueen´s Jeans when it was in the Clare Lallow boatyard in Cowes, dreaming of pushing those throttles forward!

Re: Bertram 32
 

Nigel,you are right about the props of the Bertram 31 was very low from the transom. I think that because the original design of the 31's transom was for be without the stern drives,moroever the engines room was very little and the engine very close to the transom side by side and not staggered.
About the Canadian Moppie I think It's easy to know if became McQueen Jeans because it had the straight shafts inboard,not the stern drives,like the old Master Moppie that was builded togheder My Moppie like first Bertram 31' in 1967.

Re: Bertram 32
 

Hey Phil

Here is Dad's 28 Cig towed by the offical Caddy tow vehicle back then.

Re: Bertram 32
 

Ex Canadian Moppie??