Bertram33 User Forum

Hey Charlie, I'm guessing we have the same engines. Is there any more wiggle room on the 35B than the 33 when it comes to working on the port side water pump or the starboard side alternator?? I worked on both and I'm 6'-2" and 215#. When I got through, what wasn't bleeding was pretty bruised u...

Charlie, from what I know, the Cat 3208's on my boat are original equipment. I know that the original alternators are the old style with external VR's. The raw water pumps appear to be original because when my port side went out and I took it off, it looked about 28 years old!! So I'm thinking Cat m...

Thanks Bill

I have a 1982 33' SF. The cabin lights over the sink and dinette and in the head have a plastic cover (as many as 3) about 4" x 4" square. Is there anybody that has replacement covers for these lights. The plastic has gotten real brittle after all these years and is starting to crumble. Th...

Thanks to all. The alternator I got from Caterpillar was the new kind with an internal exciter and voltage regulator. Basically all I had to do was tape off the 2 wires (+ and -) coming from the external VR (that I just bought) and connect the 2 main + and - that go to charge the battery. Getting a ...

My alternator went out and I got a new from Cat for my '82 Model 3208 engine. Is there anything special about wiring it up since it now has a voltage regulator included in it. The + and - wires on top are easy but I have another wire and not sure where it goes??? Jeff

By the way, this was the raw water pump with 1-1/4" outlets. It looks like the bearing went out, it locked up and threw the belt, and the overheated. I will check the exhaust system like you all said, Thanks again

Well I took the pump off and the bearing was shot! It came out in pieces. I limped into Houma, LA and found a guy that could rebuild it. We found all the parts in Houma and the previous owner had another impeller and seals so we had it done by 5pm and on back on the boat by 6:30pm. I checked for wat...

Bringing my 33' SF from Panama City to Galveston. Just outside of Houma and port engine temp went to 240 degrees and alarm went off. Shut it down and limped over to a dock. Checked it out and fan belt was laying in the bilge in one piece. Too hot and too many mosquitos tonight to check it out. Anybo...

It turns out the relay I was looking for turned out to be a Cold Start Relay (Cat Part # 9G-8187). I replaced it and the voltage regulator (Cat Part # 6N-3161) on the starboard engine and ran it about 14 hours over Labor Day weekend with no problems. Think I'll do the port side next. Thanks everyone...

Thanks Buzz. It's always something.

My 1982 Bertram 33 SF has a Seaward hot water heater. Even though I have it switched off at the control panel, while underway I learned that water is still be heated by one of the engines heat exchangers. This is pretty clever because you immediately have hot water when you get to where you're going...

Thanks again guys. I got 2 Standard MR-10 field relays here in Houston. Will change both out this weekend. Good luck to all of you on the East coast with Earl. Us GOM guys are praying for you!

OK. Thanks guys. The box itself has 2 terminals coming off of it and 3 wires going to it. I have a picture but not smart enough to know how to insert it. I thought it was a VR so I ordered one from Cat here in Houston. When it arrived, I checked and this is not it. This voltage reg has 3 wires and a...

Thanks Bill. Yours looks nice btw. Tinting makes it look not as retro. Jeffrey R. Hughes M/V "Pescara" 1982 - 33' Bertram SF Santa Rosa Beach, FL