Something familiar caught my eye. It was the forward house structure with curved corner windshields, a bridge brow and a flybridge. They were instantly recognizable Bertram trademarks. But this recently introduced 35-footer is a thoroughly modern interpretation of the builder’s classic 31. The resurrected company is reintroducing the Bertram brand with this Michael Peters-penned model that’s based on the Bertram 31. The new incarnation combines traditional styling with modern features.
The 35 is a great sportfishing boat with an oversized cockpit ready for any fish-fighting fanatic, plus an amenities-filled interior.
The salon is accented with teak and maple Amtico soles and overhead dimmer lighting. A wainscot-style ceiling houses rod stowage for big-game gear. A galley to starboard has a microwave, two-burner cooktop, deep sink with cutting-board cover, undercounter fridge/freezer drawers and extra stowage. One cabinet houses the AC/DC panel and electric displays.
Opposite is the dinette with U-shaped settee and wooden pedestal table that converts to a double berth. Views are good through the frameless, single-pane windshield forward and the aft bulkhead’s tinted windows. From a cruising perspective, the Bertram 35 is a comfortable weekender. The single head has Corian countertops with a porcelain sink and a hand-held shower. The forward stateroom has an offset queen berth (Bertram offers a V-berth too), cedar locker and 24-inch flat-screen TV.
“Fish on” should be a regular cry from the cockpit, as Bertram sets up the 35 with rod holders, a livewell, in-deck fish boxes, and a transom door for the big ones. Optional teak decking and covering boards add a custom look, while the standard outfitting feels more contemporary. Engine-box cushions create sun-pad and lounge areas.
Up top, the flybridge is uncluttered. The optional wooden helm pod with Palm Beach controls is a nice touch to the raised console that houses multifunction displays and the Caterpillar engines’ 7-inch display. Ancillary systems such as switches, a VHF radio, thruster controls and more are in a recessed helm box to starboard. A cooler box is to port. Three Pompanette helm chairs keep the captain and spotters together. The options list includes interior colors and materials, thrusters, a Seakeeper gyro, electronics, fishing gear and tower/hardtop choices.
The spirit of Bertram lives on in the 35. Although she’s a new design, being on board feels like cruising with a legend.
