38 hatt vs 37 bertram

[Pascal]

Friends of mine are looking at a 38 hatt and 37 Bertram. Both late 80s early 90s vintage, good overall shape.

Th big difference are 450hp 692 in the Bert vs 485hp 671 in the hatt don't have the full mechanical history yet but needless to say the 485hl is a concern...


Any real world experience with the 485hp rating?

 

[saltshaker]

Friends of mine are looking at a 38 hatt and 37 Bertram. Both late 80s early 90s vintage, good overall shape.

Th big difference are 450hp 692 in the Bert vs 485hp 671 in the hatt don't have the full mechanical history yet but needless to say the 485hl is a concern...


Any real world experience with the 485hp rating?

The Bertam would be my choice hands down.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Mine, too. It is a better boat to begin with, I think, and the 92 engine is not stressed at that rating, compared with the 71 which is probably ready to come apart at the gaskets.

 

[seasalt]

Different strokes, but I have owned a set of 6-71 TIB's and would much prefer them to any of the 92 series, especially the 6's.

I would choose the Bertram if the boat was the only variable.

 

[saltshaker]

Different strokes, but I have owned a set of 6-71 TIB's and would much prefer them to any of the 92 series, especially the 6's.

I feel the exact opposite. For these two boats I feel the Bertram is a better boat. I'd love to see one repowered with QSM11s

 

[captddis]

Hands down the Bertram with either 6V92 or the 3208. Great running boats and fun to run. That said have him look at a Bertram 43. Not much more money and a much more livable boat.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

If well maintained the 6v92's at that hp will get double the life of the TIB's. I have 4000hrs on my 465hp 6v92TA's and still going strong. They start instantly with no smoke and plenty of power. The 92's got a bad name when they came out before the "silver". The marine versions over 550hp are also short lived, but at 450hp, they should be fine if maintained and not overheated.

Look at the displacement to hp ratio. 485hp out of 426 cubic inches vs 450hp out of 552 cubes.