Article selected from thousand
boat trials
performed by Nautica in nearly 50 years
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could be no more available and its price, if indicated, could be outdated
as it refers to the Nautica Magazine paper issue
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Text and photographs by Fabio Petrone
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BERTRAM 46 CONVERTIBLE
The Bertram 46' Convertible is an American "fisherman" in its most
classical concept, designed primarily for the specific use in
fishing trips. This shows immediately from the uncommonly designed
cockpit: and particularly from the freeboard, which is always very
restrained over the surface, a fact that makes catching and
hauling the fish on board a lot more easier; and, furthermore,
from the accuracy with which all possible hindrance that might
hamper the fight have been carefully avoided. For this reason, the
46' Convertible, like all the best fisherman yachts, is produced
without the stern platform, an element which the purists of this
sport consider to be of potential disturbance. Therefore the
Bertram 46' Convertible features an aft deck which is not
structural but can be added to the owner's desire for a less
specific use of the craft.
Characteristic of the layout of this version of the Convertible
Bertram is also the steering position, invariably positioned on
the flying bridge, which enables the helmsman a better steering
precision in navigation, and better control of the boat during
manoeuvres. This feature is particularly important during the
fishing action, as it gives the helmsman the immediate perception
of the development of the fight, i.e. if the prey is getting
closer or further from the boat, so that he can steer the boat
accordingly. As for the interiors, the Bertram 46' Convertible is
designed for efficiency, strength, and the maximum ease in living
accommodation in every part of the craft.
On board, a lot of emphasis is placed on communal space,
especially the saloon, the
dining area
and the galley, so that the
day-time activity on the boat is enhanced. Nevertheless, the two
sleeping cabins are spacious, soberly and very rationally styled
and equipped with all comforts, air conditioning included. We
particularly appreciated the owner's stateroom,
which includes en-suite heads, a central double berth underneath which a very
spacious locker is located. This is readily and easily accessible,
as the double berth can be lifted hydraulically.
The Bertram 46' Convertible can also be ordered with a different
interior layout, featuring three double cabins, the third cabin
with upper and lower bunks in place of the galley; the latter
being moved to starboard, in the dining room area.
For these reasons, and in spite of the highly specialised fishing
approach, this craft cannot be classified just as a "fisherman"
boat. The 46' Convertible is a true motor yacht, comfortable,
safe, sound, versatile and with excellent navigating qualities. It
has a very large hull, with good displacement; the bow is designed
to be high on the water, as appropriate to a fishing boat; and it
is not sensitive to wind blows, due to the modest deck structures.
The modified "V" hull, narrow at the bow and definitely broader at
the stern, enables the yacht to reach high speed even in formed
seas, with maximum performance more than adequate to guarantee
fast passages. Even at lower speeds, performance during the
fishing action is excellent, providing no pitching or rolling and
excellent manoeuvrability.
 TECHNICAL DETAILS
Builder: Bertram Yacht Inc. 3663 N.W. 21 Street, Miami, Florida (USA)
Yacht designer: the builder itself
Importer: International Boat Service; via del Molo; 07026
Porto Rotondo, Olbia (SS); tel +39 789 380048; fax 35951 - Agency:
20121 Milano Piazza Belgioioso 2; tel +39 2 780816; fax 76007897
Fully cleared for offshore navigation
VAT: 20%
Yearly licence: 1.835.000 Lira
Length overall: 12,25 m.
Registered length: 14,00 m.
Maximum beam: 4,44 m.
Gross tonnage: 32,79 tons
Draft below propellers: 0,90 m.
Building height: 2,35 m.
Empty displacement: kg 23.870
Full load displacement: kg 27.000
Maximum allowable load: 15 people
Berths: four +2 two in three cabins
Engines: 2 Detroit Diesel 8W92 D Deck
Total power: 1.520 HP
Total fiscal power: 236 HP
Total weight with gear box: 3.292 kg.
Empty displacement/installed power ratio: 15,70
Transmission: shaft drive
Maximum speed: 34 knots
Cruising speed: 30 knots
Fuel consumption at cruising speed: about 230 l/h
Operating range at cruising speed: 395 miles
Fuel tank capacity: 3.028 litres
Water tank capacity: 662 litres
Price: with standard specification and installed engines: US Dollar 733.000.
BUILDING SPECIFICATION
Hull: V-shaped
Construction and structures: reinforced fibreglass, hand-stratified
with longitudinal and transversal balsa reinforcement.
Deck: decks and superstructures are made of a fibreglass
sandwich reinforced with carbon
Foredeck: complete with a spacious standard bowsprit
protected by a external hand-rail starting from the hatch; the
anchor well, with a 1.500 Watt optional anchor windlass; a padded
sundeck for four people can be optionally installed.
Cockpit: On the yacht we tested there were two pieces of
furniture, the port one housing a sink with fresh and salt water,
drawers for lures etc.; to starboard, the freezer tank. The four
fishing rods holders on the rail are standard. Folding steps can
also be used as settees.
Courtesy lights are standard, as well as the electrical furling
shore power cable, the sea-water washing pump, the shore fresh-
water hose, the external padded bumper, the tuna door and the two
side lockers, one of which houses the optional fresh water
shower.
Aft deck: optional, in fibreglass reinforced with balsa and
carbon fiber sandwich for the gratings.
Flying bridge: fibreglass structure with a balsa and carbon
fibre sandwich for the gratings. Access is through a large
aluminium ladder with Teflon steps. The flying bridge is fitted
with two settees, the pilot's and co-pilot's, complete external
padding, comfortable forward settee and five lockers. The bimini
top is optional. The steering console, with hydraulic steering
wheel, is fitted with all the necessary controls and
instrumentation for navigation and engine control; these can be
replaced, like in the model we tested, with the D Deck layout,
which features two multi-function liquid crystal monitor displays.
Any type of electronic instrumentation can be installed on request.
INTERIOR
Layout and specifications: one cabin at the forward end
with upper and lower bunks, complete with two small lockers, one
tall locker and a hanging locker for long dress. This cabin has
two reading lights, two spot lights embedded in the ceiling and
two likewise embedded stereo loudspeakers. Vynil ceiling and
laterals. To port, the laundry cabin with washer and dryer, both
standard equipment. Amidships, on port side, lies the guest heads
which have a separate shower box with parquet floors. An opening
mirror and lockers underneath the basin complete the fittings of
the guest heads. On the starboard side, the owner's stateroom with
a central double bed under which a spacious drawer and a locker
can be reached through a hydraulic system. Two lateral shelves, a
mirror and a tall hanginig locker, two reading lights, TV colour
system with VCR; Hi-Fi system with two loudspeakers embedded in
the ceiling complete the list of the owner's stateroom layout. En-
suite spacious heads with separate shower box, with parquet floors
and a large mirror.
Chart area: to starboard of the >main saloon
Galley: to port, at a different height compared to the
cabin level, fitted with 150 litres each fridge and freezer, two
electrical burners, micro-wave, powerful aerator, parquet floors,
stainless steel sink with garbage compactor and, optionally, a
stainless steel tank for the ice-maker. The area is furnished with
four spacious lockers and four smaller food-lockers. The saloon
has a dining area to starboard, with L-shaped table and settee;
right behind it lies a piece of furniture housing the Hi-Fi system
complete with CD player and a column housing the CD player, colour
TV and VCR; the dinette lies to port and can be converted into two
bunks, with an L-shaped settee. Centralised vacuum cleaner and
wooden lateral window-curtains "venziana"-style. In the ceiling a
spacious holder for the fishing rods or other equipment. The
saloon is lit by six embedded lights.
ACCESSORIES
Standard equipment: hydraulic flaps, 12 kW Northen lights
power unit. Engine oil automatic re-filler. Automatic emergency
bilge pump. Access to the engine room from the cockpit. Automatic
CO2 fire-fighting system. Double-cycle air conditioning,
autonomously controlled from the saloon and the cabins, with
standard openings in every room
Optional equipment: hydraulic lazzarette, tuna tower.
OUR IMPRESSIONS
CONDITIONS DURING THE TRIAL
wind: 20/25 knots
Seas: rough
PERFORMANCE
Time to plane from standstill: 9 seconds
Minimum planing rpm and speed: 1.550 rpm; 19 knots
Maximum speed: 33 knots at 1.520 HP and 2.300 rpm
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Sea quality: the boat rides the waves in a very efficient
way, without sacrificing comfort, even at high speed; excellent
stability both with seas from the bow and at the stern; turning is
adequately precise.
Helm response and trim and flap: generally good for the
helm, which is less precise only at very tight turning radius;
excellent sensibility of the flaps, necessary to counter the
tendency of the stern to sink.
Visibility in different conditions: always excellent.
Docking manoeuvrability: in spite of the strong breeze, the
docking manoeuvres were not particularly difficult.
COMFORT AND FUNCTIONALITY EVALUATION
Deck: very good accessibility to the bow deck, protected by
a well-proportioned external hand-rail; the cockpit is perfect for
fishing, but still comfortable and rational in any situation
Flying bridge: easily accessible, pleasant, well-
accessories and quite well protected by the windshield.
Interiors: extremely rational, sober, not quite American in
taste and well-lit; the upholstery is commendable for its long-
lasting qualities and functionality; the laundry area is
particularly significant, being unusual on European crafts of this
size.
Passenger comfort: apart from the comfort granted by the
excellent hull profile, this Bertram yacht provides spacious room
both above and below decks; the living room is really comfortable.
Steering position and comfort: the steering position is
ideally located for the optimum control on course and manoeuvres;
the digital instrumentation for the engine controls is ample and
complete, and can also optionally feature electronic levers. The
helmsman can canstantly monitor the development of the fishing situation.
Chart table: it does not show any particular obstruction.
Galley area: admirable for its functionality, fittings and spaciousness.
Heads: comfortable, in tune with the overall rationality of
the interiors, even if the owner's heads might have been a little
more comfortable.
Accessibility of the engine compartment: good accessibility
and quite good functionality of the engine box, which definitely
improves with smaller engines.
Electrical equipment panel: easily read and accessible.
WHAT WE LIKED MOST
its navigating qualities; the overall strength of the hull,
details included, and the timeless pleasing lines of this
convertible yacht. |
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WHAT WE LIKED LESS
the night area and the owner's heads which lack a little bit of
personality in the interior design. |
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The Bertram 46' Convertible is an American "fisherman" in its most
classical concept, designed primarily for the specific use in
fishing trips. This shows immediately from the uncommonly designed
cockpit: and particularly from the freeboard, which is always very
restrained over the surface, a fact that makes catching and
hauling the fish on board a lot more easier; and, furthermore,
from the accuracy with which all possible hindrance that might
hamper the fight have been carefully avoided. For this reason, the
46' Convertible, like all the best fisherman yachts, is produced
without the stern platform, an element which the purists of this
sport consider to be of potential disturbance. Therefore the
Bertram 46' Convertible features an aft deck which is not
structural but can be added to the owner's desire for a less
specific use of the craft.
