Bertram is a legendary brand that earned its following by building rugged boats initially based on the deep-V hull Ray Hunt pioneered. With headquarters in Miami, Fla., where it has operated its shipyard since 1961, Bertram early on secured an important share of the sport fishing market. Within 10 years, the yard had achieved a sales record of about 1,000 boats. In the early 1970s, Bertram launched two models that became extremely popular in fishing circles; the 42’ and 46’ convertibles were produced for nearly 20 years and still enjoy a lively trade on the brokerage market. In the 1990s Bertram lost a bit of steam while others built momentum in a highly competitive market, but in 1998 Italian powerhouse Ferretti stepped in with the goal to reinvigorate the brand without changing its philosophy. With help from the Zuccon International Project, Ferretti primarily focused on the boats’ looks to make them appealing to a wider international clientele. In 2004 Bertram launched hull number one of the popular 630 series, a boat that the yard nicknamed “Moppie,” after the very first Bertram (and the nickname of founder Richard Bertram’s wife); by 2007 Bertram launched hull No. 41.
Bertram’s new flagship, the 700 EFB, is a typical sportfish on the outside, except for large lateral windows right above the waterline. Other models in the Ferretti fleet provided the inspiration for these windows, which are a nice addition that does not detract from the primary purpose of this boat as a fishing warrior. Although Ferretti contributed to the styling of the vessel, the interior décor is from Miami-based Studio Marty A. Lowe.
In style, the 700 is closely related to Bertram’s earlier 670. The increase in size has allowed enlarging the cockpit, now about 270 sq. feet. The enclosed flybridge version is a great option for hot and humid Florida summers, the Caribbean or Mexico, even if purists may frown upon the air-conditioned luxury; for them an open flybridge version also is available. The 700 has, first and foremost, a powerful high bow, giving it a true sportfish look. Among its other noteworthy features are the large cockpit with abundant storage and wells perfectly designed for anglers, an easily accessible engine room and a composite hull capable of handling even big waves with grace. An optional upgrade equips the boat with Anti-Rolling Gyro stabilizers (ARGs) — a system developed by Mitsubishi for the Ferretti group — which are designed to suppress rolling motion. The boat features an impeccably finished African mahogany interior and a full-beam master stateroom, located amidships, which with its dual sinks, shower and spacious closet lacks nothing in amenities, storage and comfort. A VIP suite, with ample storage available, is located in the bow. Two double cabins, one with side-by-side berths, complete the lower-deck accommodations.
Bertram proposes several options for the main-deck arrangement. Our test boat features a comfortable salon aft, with ample seating available on a leather-upholstered C-shaped sofa framing a coffee table and facing a single matching leather armchair on the starboard side, where two alternate layouts locate a wet bar. One step leads forward and up to the open galley, fully equipped with high-end stainless appliances, and a dinette area on the starboard side. A pleasant contrast between the darker wood veneer and light upholstery and plush carpeting reinforces the elegant simplicity of the décor, which is both comfortable and masculine. Perfect for foul-weather days, an enclosed spiral staircase leads from the main salon directly to the flybridge.
If at first we are skeptical of the enclosed flybridge, by the time we exit Government Cut and face open sea, we find ourselves enthusiastically embracing the idea. Featuring remarkable insulation, the space is a comfortable cocoon with unbeatable sea views, which makes this boat enjoyable even in rough conditions. On the small deck located aft of the flybridge is a small station, ideal for maneuvering into tight spots or backing down on fish. Back inside, the well-equipped helm station displays easy-to-read screens. An efficient air conditioning unit kicks out cool air that escapes quietly from the vents. With their under-water exhaust system, the 23kW Kholer generators are equally discreet. At 1,500 rpm, the engines remain quiet thanks to a well-insulated engine room, even as we reach 22 knots. However, the BSC hydraulic power-assisted steering installed on this hull proves a bit inaccurate and future models may revert to previously used systems. During our sea trial we experience nearly five-foot waves, enough of a swell for the 700 to show itself a worthy member of the hard-working Bertram fleet. Meeting seas head on, we are able to ease our way into the boat’s 30-knot cruising speed. The hull shows no sign of flagging in its assault on the waves, and the windscreen remains perfectly dry. Remarkably, the engines are now at 2,000 rpm, and we still have 450 rpm to go. Without using tabs, the trim is perfect, which enables us to push the throttle and reach 38 knots. Even at high speed, the boat handles shocks efficiently. We decide to go below to the cabins and listen in for a while. We notice no unusual sounds. The twin 2,186 hp MTU engines are mounted in direct line. To prevent vibration, Bertram has pre-tested shaft alignment, adjusting them to the narrowest margin.
The sportfishing market is a competitive field with many builders, such as Viking, Hatteras, Riviera, Cabo, Ocean Yachts and many more others, vying for the attention of anglers. Bertram does benefit from its history and reputation, which gives it a bit of an aura. We would like to see the builder apply its obvious boat-building skills to a model that is not quite so specialized in fishing. As the Ferretti group’s design department has quite a bit of imagination, this might come true someday.
Specifications:
LOA: 74' 2"
Beam: 18' 8"
Draft: 6' 0"
Fuel capacity: 2,008 US Gal.
Fresh water capacity: 350 US Gal.
Displacement: 116,404 lbs
Maximum speed: 38 knots
Cruising speed: 30 knots
Standard engines: 2 x 1,825 hp MTU 12V, Series 2000
Optional engines: 2 x 2,200 hp MTU 16V, Series 2000
Designer: Zuccon International Project (superstructure and interior)
Interior décor: Marty A. Lowe, Inc.
Engineering: Bertram Yacht / Ferretti group AYT (Advanced Yacht Technology)
www.bertram.com
Quayside
A conversation with Giovanni Vacchi
Bertram has been part of the Ferretti group for 10 years, a marriage that seems to have been a happy one, at least judging from the latest offspring reviewed here and the new models currently in the pipeline. At the helm of the Miami brand for the past two years is Italian-born CEO Giovanni Vacchi, himself a successful blend of cultures. The 40-something executive from Genoa earned his MBA from Dartmouth College, and he seems as comfortable in Italian suits as he is with the casual conversation style common to American CEOs. A key to the happy marriage of an American brand with an Italian yachting powerhouse was a subtle approach. “We have been very careful in not being invasive and turning this brand into an Italian brand,” he says. “Aside from myself, most everyone involved in the company is American. The core of our workers is still comprised of Americans with a Cuban heritage. We have people who have been in the company for three generations. That has been a strategic decision, not to ‘Italianize’ the company. It is and needs to remain an American legend… But we have a very strong parent company with Ferretti S.p.A. What we have tried to do is introduce innovation and some attention to detail in a market were women tend to have a buying influence…I think we’ve made very good progress and we are in a very good position right now in terms of product quality, innovation and design.” One of the ideas that have dictated the design of recent models is to turn any Bertram into a versatile boat that can satisfy the demands of fishing enthusiasts but also can serve as a perfect family boat for a weekend out on the water, Vacchi explains. Along with the renowned Bertram hull, the speed and performance that anglers have come to appreciate, new models also make room for creature comforts—spacious cabins, full-beam masters in the case of the 700, ARG stabilizers available as an option on new models 50’ and larger, big windows, real windshields—and an attractive interior. With a 44’ LOA, the 410 for instance features two spacious staterooms; the 540 has a galley aft with a power window that opens onto the cockpit so it can be used as an entertainment area after the anglers have reeled in the fish.
While Bertram’s newest model to be introduced at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is an innovative sportfish with a 57’ LOA (see our Boat Show preview) the design team also has focused on larger boats, Vacchi says. On the drawing and due to launch in late 2009 is an 80’ sportfish, which should contribute to increasing the brand’s visibility even more here and abroad, although Bertram is already widely known around the world. “There is hardly a marina in the world that does not have an old Bertram,” says Vacchi. “Bertram has always been one of the companies on the edge of product innovation and that has facilitated the brand’s international expansion.”
With a softening American market, evident even within a niche market, many builders may be tempted to turn to the international market for a quick fix. “I believe the international market should not become an opportunistic market only when the domestic market is not doing well. Growing internationally is very important,” Vacchi says. Today if the North American market is hurt by the high cost of fuel and a depressed currency, oil-rich countries are doing well, he points out. More than one third of Bertram’s annual production is now sold abroad. Central America continues to be a strong market, and the Middle East is rapidly growing, he says.
In addition to his focus on product innovation and a solid international network of dealers, Vacchi is keen on preserving the know-how of the Bertram craftsmen, some of whom have been with the company for 30 years. He has expanded of late the existing in-house training and made it a more formal program dubbed Bertram School of Boat Building, now in place for a year. “We want to preserve the talent and spur interest in boat building for future generations.”
– CG
