70's Bertram 42 : Good idea to update or leave original?

RogerRat

RogerRat

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70\'s Bertram 42 : Good idea to update or leave original?

Any experienced opinions welcome. A good friend of mine has a classic '76 Bertram 42 Flybridge. A real beast with 2 x 435 Detroit 2 stroke diesels. Planes easily @ 22+ knots, three good cabins which he lives aboard 3-4 days weekly. It's in great condition for age and perfectly maintained. He was thinking about completely modernising her throughout and was advised not to! Just to ensure that upholstery and linings were clean and intact. The US market is now sourcing these boats and shipping them back as classics like the Riva. The boat is as original including a full size yankee fridge in the galley! All the documents are there including plans of original layouts. So... would updating and renewing the interior and layouts be a good or bad thing to do?
 
Re: 70\'s Bertram 42 : Good idea to update or leave original?

Bertram are great boats I own a 25 there is loads of heritage behind the design , not well know this side of the pond but a great following in the states. this is the conundrum , if you had a uk classic car you would fight to keep it original, if you had an e type jag you would not upgrade it and expect to keep the value. Classic boats I dunno. No real conclusion from me here!!
 
Re: 70\'s Bertram 42 : Good idea to update or leave original?

Unless you plan to show it as a "museum piece," I would update it. You wouldn't want 1970s appliances, plumbing and decor in a house...why keep them on a boat? Updating increases the boat's value.

Besides, wiring, fuel and plumbing system standards have changed considerably in the last 30 years...unless they're brought up to date, the value of the boat is diminished. Updating--at least here in the US--increases a boat's value by anywhere from 30-100%, depending on the original condition and whether the rehab is done with quality materials and excellent workmanship, or "on the cheap."

My last boat was a 1979, which I completely restored and updated...increased her value by nearly 100%, and by about $5k more than I had in her.

However, it may be different in the UK...so my best advice to your friend: Check out listings of similar vintage/size boats...see the difference in asking prices for those that are original vs. those that have been completely updated. Then price out EVERYTHING...check that amount, plus what he paid for the boat. The key to rehabbing/updating is in ending up with a boat that's worth at least as much as you have invested in it.
 
Re: 70\'s Bertram 42 : Good idea to update or leave original?

Surely it depends if you are going to sell in the near future ?
If not, you might as well update and enjoy the benefits of that, but if you intend to sell soon let somebody pay you good money for it as it is. They must be buying what <u>they</u> want.
 
Re: 70\'s Bertram 42 : Good idea to update or leave original?

Yes and no, Essex. Some people (I'm one) look for "project" boats that are sound...some also like to rehab houses (I'm NOT one). But most home AND boat buyers want something that they can simply move into and enjoy, that has all the latest "bells and whistles"...they look at '70s earthtones and '50s "baby butt pink" bathroom tiles and all they think of is, "that has to go!" So most are looking for updated homes and boats.

The main advantage to updating, whether to keep or sell, is a "new" boat for a fraction of the price of comparable new. A brand new 42' boat comparable to the Bertram is $700-$1m USD ...a 70s vintage 42' Bertram is +/- $150k. $50K or less to completely replace/upgrade everything including appliances and electronics on any boat that size with state of the art equipment and top quality materials and workmanship (around $5-6K just to redecorate)....and you end up with what amounts to a brand new boat for 30-40% of the price of comparable new.

That's a BIG reason why here in the US used boats now account for nearly 70% of all boat sales. Someone who wants a 42' Bertram or 41' Hatteras sportfisher has $200k...that's just the down payment on a new one!

But again, I can only speak to the US market. It may be different in the UK...after all, you do have quite a few 12th century castles that are still orginal, so to you a 30 yr old boat IS new! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: 70\'s Bertram 42 : Good idea to update or leave original?

The advice I have been given consistently by surveyors/brokesr when buying our boats has been to keep them as original as possible. This doen't mean that you shouldn't re-wire, re-plumb, re-upholster, re-headline and install more up to date appliances (if neccesary) but keeping to the original style is what seems to be seen as important when selling it again. The argument seems to be that buyers prefer something that hasn't been messed about with.

That said, I think thier views have been heavily influenced by the number of boats that have been 'modernised' or had things added that just don't go with the original interior and in many cases just look naff.

I recall an MBM article a couple of years ago where a Fairline Turbo 36 had been re-furbished by a guy who worked for a shop fitting company and it looked great (much better than the original interior) but then it had been done well.

I think it realy depends what he wants to do but if a re-furbishment is the way forward then doing a professional job is probably important (which probably sounds a bit obvious /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif)
 
Re: 70\'s Bertram 42 : Good idea to update or leave original?

I wouldent do it! Bertrams are very well built and fitted. Ive seen updates in progress and when finnished the modern materials and work just leave the boat a junk liveaboard.

On mine ive cleaned had new covers made,and put new seals in the opening windows.But thats it! Bertrams just get better the more your aboard i have a Bertram 28 and she sounds and goes really well,and always looks wonderful,even when moored next to a princess!
 
Re: 70\'s Bertram 42 : Good idea to update or leave original?

I NEVER suggested changing any of the layout or doing something awful like glassing over wood...that would be a crime! But there's no good reason to keep dated carpet, upholstery, drapes and window treatments, appliances etc...even countertops.

Mine had that gawdawful "harvest gold" vinyl wallcovering in the head and galley that was all the rage in the '70s...replacing it with a textured off white was a huge improvement. My countertops were also "harvest gold"...I replaced with an off white formica that was almost an identical match for the wallcovering...another huge improvement.

Except for the color scheme and new appliances, I made only two changes...the cabin was carpeted throughout in burnt orange cut pile shag. When I recarpeted, I put down teak parquet in the galley instead of carpet because it can be mopped...no more worries about stained carpet. And I added an icemaker, which required sacrificing two drawers in the galley. Adding a microwave required no new cabinetry, just a teak strip to keep it in place while underway.

These are the only kinds of updating I'd ever suggest. You're absolutely right that it would be a HUGE mistake to make any structural or other major changes.

Btw...I have photos of my finished update in an online album (unfortunately I neglected to take but a few "before" photos). I can't seem to find a way to post a link to it, but I'd be glad to email it to anyone who'd like to see how it can be done without destroying any of the very qualities that make older boats so attractive--at least to those of us consider new boats to have all the warmth and appeal of the inside of a refrigerator.
 
Re: 70\'s Bertram 42 : Good idea to update or leave original?

It's nice as always to hear views which I will pass on. PJ's boat is sound and worth a tidy. Paul is fortunate in that he has access to items and skills to complete the work in style. I'm sure the updates will be in keeping and of taste. Thanks to all for your replies. Roger. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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