Bertram 31
Why it matters
Before the Bertram 31, going offshore in a small boat meant getting beaten to pieces. Ray Hunt's deep-V hull design changed that. The constant 24-degree deadrise cut through waves instead of pounding over them.
Dick Bertram proved the concept by running a prototype in the 1960 Miami-Nassau race in rough seas — while flat-bottom boats were turning back, the Bertram kept running.
The sportfishing world noticed. Within a decade, every serious sportfishing boat was a deep-V, and the Bertram 31 was the benchmark. It's the hull design that made offshore fishing accessible to anyone who could handle a boat.
Patina notes
Bertram 31s from the 1960s are cult objects. The fiberglass hulls are essentially eternal, though they absorb water over decades (osmotic blistering). The original hardware — chrome cleats, teak trim, analog gauges — defines the vintage aesthetic.
Restored examples with original power fetch serious money. Beater examples with newer engines are still fishing every weekend.
Preservation reality
Hundreds of Bertram 31s are still running. The hull doesn't die. Engines get replaced, electronics get updated, but the hull goes on fishing. The Bertram 31 is one of those rare vessels where 'preservation' means 'still using it.' Active owner communities maintain knowledge of original specs, correct hardware, and restoration techniques.
The deep-V hull that Ray Hunt designed in 1960 is still the foundation of modern sportfishing boat design.
Where to see one
- • Any sportfishing marina in Florida
- • Montauk, New York
- • Hatteras, North Carolina
Preservation organizations
- • Bertram Owners Club
Sources
- Bertram History (2026-03-05)
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