Bertram Packs 56’ of Amenities Into their 510 Convertible
Bertram’s 510 has virtually all of
the amenities of a $2.4 million battlewagon five or six feet longer -- at about
half the price! That’s the big story here. The 510 has three staterooms, two heads,
a 168-sq-ft cockpit, a huge flying bridge big enough for a party, and an engine
room that can pump out 2700 horses to move the boat at 40 knots WOT. With smaller
diesels she has a range of 466 nautical miles which will get most people most anywhere
they want to go in a long day’s run. After looking closely at the 510, we wonder
why anyone needs anything bigger.
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This boat has legs – 466 nm range at “best cruise” will take her most anywhere. |
A visit to Miami’s famous Stiltsville shows off her 5’ draft in skinny water. |
The 510’s helm looks like Battlestar Galactica with blue night vision lights. |
Mama Mia – a Marriage!
One of the best marriages in the boat business occurred in 1998 when Ferretti bought
Bertram Yachts. In many ways, the two companies were made for each other. Both brands
had a heritage of building boats designed to take a beating offshore and hang together.
Both were conceived by yachtsmen who were addicted to speed offshore, and both had
reputations at the top of their class. Unfortunately Bertram’s had slipped during
a period of revolving door ownership, and that is another reason why the marriage
was good. Ferretti has restored Bertram to her rightful place at the top of production
boat building along with a couple of other great and enduring brands.
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going to use the boat, you can get it with or without the swim platform. If you
get a platform, we recommend the traditional teak grate.
The Business End
Starting at the business end, her 168-sq. ft. cockpit is fully loaded with all the
standard fishy things vital to the dedicated angler, including a generously equipped
prep center with plenty of storage space, a refrigerator, wash basin and cutting
board. Even though many anglers use pre-made-up frozen bait, we like the fact that
Bertram has equipped the boat for anglers who still like to do it the old fashioned
way. The boat has a live-bait storage area and a large fish box with removable tub
and an icebox, which fits in the center of the transom.
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on this flying bridge which makes a great entertaining area.
Bertram carries the 16’2” beam at the breast of the boat straight back to the transom
without any tapering in, unlike many boats in her class. This means that its cockpit
is wider and the side decks going forward are wider as well.
Bertram was the first builder to offer an anti-roll gyro stabilizer as optional
equipment in a special arrangement with Mitsubishi, the manufacturer. The boat also
has only one fuel tank which has some advantages, one of which is that the boat’s
trim does not change much as the fuel burns off. Cleverly designed rudders and struts
minimize drag. The five-bladed props are fitted to reduce vibration and noise and
– to say nothing of improving performance.
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of the helm on the bridge makes an ideal and large entertaining venue. This is more
room here than on some even larger boats.
The Flying Bridge
On the flying bridge Bertram is proud of its electrically controlled disappearing
instrument panel. It is large enough for all the screens necessary, and will keep
everything dry and secure. We recommend the optional hardtop with cruising isinglass
to extend your season and for late-night cruising with guests aboard. In all likelihood
they will be up on the flying bridge in the huge U-shaped seating forward of the
helm making merry. (In which case you might consider driving from the lower helm
in the salon.)
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taken with a wide-angle lens, nevertheless it shows that there is a lot of room
in this standard layout.
It is difficult to make the salon of a convertible much different than how they
have been designed for 35 years or so. Zuccon International, which does all of the
interiors for Bertram, has tried to bring a more modern Italian flair to the salon.
To some extent they have succeeded, with the woods being lighter in tone which is
in fashion once again on certain size yachts.
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see how cleverly this accommodation plan was worked out.
Three Stateroom Magic
Below, the designers have managed to get three staterooms in a 50’ boat. That is
not easy. Note that the two heads have separate shower stalls which makes the three
stateroom task even harder, but Zuccon International was able to pull it off by
tucking the master and the starboard side guest cabin under the salon. Also note
the beds are not overly wide. Nevertheless it works and creates wonderful functionality
and value in the process.
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job of space utilization in the salon.
The Bertram 510 has it all in a compact package at an attractive price. Anyway you
look at the 510, we think that it is loaded with value.
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To set up a special BoatTEST/VIP test drive on the 510 at a Bertram dealership --