1965 B20 First Impression (pictures)

It was supposed to be just a short trip around Blake Island State Park for our first time out, but she ran so well that we decided to make a run to Seattle and back.

It was fairly windy and the water was quite choppy, but that made no difference to Dylan and I, in fact it accentuated the wonderful design characteristics of this 46 year old hull. We were very comfortable on our beautiful Bertram all day long and I have no complaints. Honestly, I was really impressed!

She absolutely jumps right up on plane with her Mercruiser 165 outdrive. Cruise speed seems to be about 22 mph at 3,000 rpm with a top speed of about 30-32 at 3,900 rpm spinning a 15 x 19 aluminum prop. So she is well matched to cruise with my dads 21 foot Bellboy Dream'an.


I can't wait to take her out again! Looks like my PowerCat may now have some serious competition for my affections.

Doug Griffith

[Helmar]

Hi Doug.
If your talking about the Volvo B20 engine, I can't agree more.
It seems as those engines can sure take a beating and keep on running.

I have the B18 and I can tell you that for a fact. Mine has been over heated Big time now and It hard to understand why she still has compression.

First time out last year, the pump went out, temp gauge showed 180 degrees. That engine got Hot.

Fixed the pump but didn't get all the all the old pump impeller pieces out of the cooler.
Took her out once more, all ran find, came up to 180 and I cooked her again.
This time it was so hot I blew the head gasket. And Melted the floats in my new Weber Carbs !!!:eek:

I checked the oil and this time she had salt water in the motor!
I ran a compression test on the other cylinders and she was still up were she needed to be (can't remember now what it was supposed to be but it was fine).
I had about 7 gallons of old oil change oil that I had not taken to the recyclers and started pouring that in, flush, flush, dumped it out, poured in the other 5 or 6 gallons and kept flushing until I had pumped it all through the motor. ( I had pulled the rocker cover and made sure I seen all the oils coming to the top of the motor and drip back down into the pan)

I also had put an oil pressure gauge on her and she was still showing 75lbs of oil pressure.
She now has a new Temperature sending unit and Stewart Warner temperature gauge in her.
I no longer force water through the engine with a garden hose, I put her pickup water supply hose in a 55 gallon barrel and let her pump her Own water when testing. (live and learn)

Also, I grew up working in my Dads wrecking yard in the small town of Gresham Oregon. I seen all kinds of cars back then, including Plenty of Volvo cars that would come in wrecked.
Only thing about those Volvo cars, every one of them, the engines were fine, just never sold one. They would just set and seize up in time.

So, as far as I am concerned, I believe those are Super Motors.

As far as the ride between a Skagit and a V Bottom boat, No comparability, the V bottom has them beat.

Nice Choice Doug !!

Sorry Joe,

Have to agree Joe, those old Swedish tractor egines are indestructable, but Doug's Big Bert has in-line six Chev power like Dreamam. Seemed to the job beautifully on Sunday, a day made for vintage boaters. We put in at Manchester, no wait, no fuss,. no mess, just a great day. Dreaman's gassed up and ready for a San Juan cruise this weekend. Keep this weather coming...................Don

[Marty Loken (Norseboater)]

Bertram 20

That's one of the all-time great hull designs--a great find, Doug, and real keeper.

You can go anywhere with that boat!

- Marty

[Helmar]

Have to agree Joe, those old Swedish tractor egines are indestructable, but Doug's Big Bert has in-line six Chev power like Dreamam. Seemed to the job beautifully on Sunday, a day made for vintage boaters. We put in at Manchester, no wait, no fuss,. no mess, just a great day. Dreaman's gassed up and ready for a San Juan cruise this weekend. Keep this weather coming...................Don

Hi Don.
That 6 should make her scoot for sure too
Good to see you on the board again too