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Bertram 31: Tried-and-True

C. Raymond Hunt’s design shattered records more than 50 years ago, and the Bertram 31 became a legend.
Bertram 31
Versions of the 31 included the Bahia Mar, Sport Fisherman, Flybridge Cruiser, Express Cruiser and Hardtop Cruiser. Courtesy Bertram

Numbers are paramount with the Bertram 31. More than 1,800 hulls of the five different models were built during its 25-year run. Regular production ended in 1983, but 23 Silver Anniversary models were built in 1986. The vessel’s deep-V hull form with 24 degrees of transom deadrise helped define the ride that would make Bertram Yachts a household name.

Notable features: Each version of the 31 had a 110-square-foot cockpit except the Bahia Mar, which had 147 square feet.

Belowdecks: The models differ slightly in layout; however, each has double bunks in the forward cabin.  Availability: At press time, more than 30 Bertram 31s were available, ranging from $25,000 to $208,791.

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“After Moppie won the 1960 Miami-Nassau race, setting a new record … the future of the deep-V was secured. Richard Bertram is said to have commented that so many yachtsmen were waving their checkbooks at him that he had no choice but to build boats.” — Yachting, 2005

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