The 1960 Miami-Nassau powerboat race was a watershed event - it marked the birth of Bertram Yacht and the advent of the modern powerboat with its fiberglass construction, Deep-V design, stern drives and larger engines. It was also one hell of a bad day to be out there racing, and it was Bertram's first competition. The seas ran 8 feet, some say 12, and winds were steady 30 knots, gusting higher.
"What happened on that gusty April day in the Gulf Stream and on the clear, rough waters on the Bahama Bank would forever alter powerboating," reported Soundings magazine (May 1994). "The race was won by Moppie, a 30-foot wooden prototype designed by C. Raymond Hunt for Miami yacht broker Richard Bertram and named after Bertram's wife. With a constant 24-degree deadrise running fore and aft, Moppie ushered in the era of the modern Deep-V hull. The Ray Hunt design turned out to have a terrific ability in rough water, and it really set boatbuilding on its ear."
| 1960s |
– In January, the first fiberglass production model, the Bertram 31, was introduced at the New York Boat Show.
Manufacturing of the 31' and 25' was well underway, and, with more designs on the drawing board, the facility had outgrown its capacity. Late in 1961, Bertram Yacht became a division of the Nautec Corporation, making possible a larger plant, more machinery and a research and development department.
– Bertram opened its 25-acre plant on November 8, 1962, at 3663 N.W. 21 Street (its present location), on the Tamiami Canal, an offshoot of the Miami River, one mile east of the Miami International Airport... and across the street from Richard Bertram and Company brokerage. It was the world's first plant specifically designed for manufacturing large, high quality, fiberglass yachts. At the end of the first full fiscal year, sales were at $3.5 million.
– The Bertram 25, one of the most popular models ever, was introduced in 1962. Next was the 38-foot, Deep-V design that firmly established Bertram's reputation for fast, dependable, seaworthy sportfishing boats. In 1964 Bertram introduced the 20-foot inboard/outboard. Within five years, 1,300 of the Bertram 20's had been produced. Bertram began production of windshields and other aluminum extrusions in its own metal fabrication shop. During this time, Richard Bertram left the manufacturing company to concentrate on his brokerage. Dave Foxmann was named President.
– Production of the Bertram 35 began.
– During the first wave of the boating industry's acquisition and merger manias, Bertram's ever-increasing popularity attracted the interest of Whittaker Corp., a broad based company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. After Whittaker acquired the yacht builder in 1968, Bertram expanded its facility over 25 acres and became one of the largest pleasure-boat builders in the world.
| 1970s |
– The one-thousandth Bertram was built.
– The first Bertram 46, a convertible, and the Bertram 42 were introduced. Additional plant facilities were constructed to accommodate the expanding product line.
– The metals plant was completed.
– The Bertram 58 convertible was introduced and a 42 convertible was added to the line.
– Bertram introduced the 33-foot convertible and, later in the year, the 33-foot sportfisherman.
– The Bertram 58 convertible became the first production model with an aluminum superstructure.
– The 38 convertible was reintroduced in a new configuration.
– Bertram reintroduced the 33-foot convertible and the 33-foot flybridge cruiser.
| 1980s |
– Additional manufacturing facilities came on line to accommodate increases in production and work-force strength was projected to become 1,200.
– The innovative 54-foot convertible made its debut after two years of extensive research, tank testing at the Hovercraft Laboratories in England, and a solid six months of running the prototype off Bimini and Miami.
– Bertram introduced the 38 special, an open fishing/cruising model.
– In March, 1985, Whittaker sold part of its interest in Bertram and three other marine companies to INVESTCORP in a leveraged buyout. The transaction was structured as a purchase by three newly formed companies. One, Bertram Trojan, Inc., acquired the assets of Bertram Yacht and the Trojan Yacht division. Retaining its own identity, Bertram emerged stronger than ever and introduced a 37-foot convertible with sleek, new styling.
– The 50 convertible debuted in 1986-7 and was dubbed " the slickest
Bertram yet" by Boating Magazine. The 50's were so popular that they were built in two production lines to keep up with demand. The Bertram 72 was introduced ` shortly thereafter.
– The 43 convertible was added during this year.
| 1990s |
– In this year, the Bertram 60 was introduced. It joined the 72 as a pathfinder of power, comfort and elegance.
– The four-stateroom version of the Bertram 60 was introduced and a new 30-foot Moppie sport cruiser embodied the spirit of the original's race boat heritage.
– Bertram introduced a "heart stopping" redesign of the layout and interior of the revered 54. Much to the relief of many, Bertram assured the world there was not "a single change in the 54 convertible hull, because you don't change perfection."
– An enclosed-flybridge version of the 60 convertible debuted at the Miami International Boat Show.
– In October of 1998 Bertram was acquired by Ferretti S.p.A., one of the world's foremost motoryacht manufacturers. Owned by boatbuilders for the first time in many years, Bertram is well on its way to expanding its product line and strengthening its position as the world's foremost builder of sportfishing boats.
– Introduction of the 390 and 510 Convertibles to Bertram's product line.
| 2000s |
– Bertram 450 Boat of the Year.
– The revolutionary Bertram 670 Convertible debuted at the Bertram Hatteras Shootout to rave reviews, (see articles).
– Bertram launches the all new 570. A direct descendent of the legendary 54, the 570 featured a much refined interior layout with the improved bridge layouts of all the new Bertrams. With the 570 Bertram Yacht now offered more choices not only in terms of different models but in the optional layouts, staterooms, and engines available.
– Bertram strengthens the demonstrator program with several "Moppie" company boats making the tournament circuit. With the new engine options and running gear refinements the big water ride of Bertram is now available at 40 knots.
– The long awaited 630 debuts as the strongest fastest Bertram ever.
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