Make no mistake. Bertram is still making serious fishing boats, including some battlewagons, in fact. But it’s also making more versatile boats, vessels that can be equally at home fishing far offshore or cruising on the ICW or even on the Great Loop.
Take a look at the new Bertram 50 Express, for example. Powered by optional twin MAN V12, 1,550-hp diesels it can head to the any fishing grounds offshore at 45 knots. Dial back a bit, swap out the tackle center for two mezzanine seats, add a swim platform and stay with the standard power of twin 1,150-hp CAT C18s, and you can go on an extended cruise anywhere your heart desires – and still catch some fish along the way. Either way, the cockpit measures 178 square feet, enough room to land the largest fish, or to enjoy some evening cocktails and al fresco entertaining with family or friends.
Bertram has launched some new boats since Beniamino Gavio, an Italian entrepreneur and owner of Baglietto superyachts, bought the company from the Ferretti Group in 2015 and moved it from Miami to the former Lazzara yard in Tampa. It first launched an all-new 35, modeled after the company’s iconic 31 Moppie, then a 61 and a 39 center console.
Now comes the 50 Express, with a low profile, clean, modern lines (no railings here) and a hull with 19 degrees of deadrise at the transom. For comfort, it has two staterooms and two heads below, plus a full galley and salon/dinette. A small group of friends can fight some fish over a long weekend here; a small family could cruise for a week’s vacation, or longer.
On the new 50, the captain’s seat is centered on a raised helm deck, with sightlines all around from wraparound windows extending back to the cockpit. There are two additional chairs for passengers and two L-shaped settees behind the helm.
Below, the galley is down on the port side of the salon, and it’s equipped with a four-burner induction cooktop and a full-height fridge with freezer. A U-shaped lounge and dinette are on the starboard side.
The master stateroom is forward with an en suite head; the guest cabin with two bunk beds is to port, along with the day head.
Specs.: LOA: 51’6”; Beam: 17’5”; Draft: 4’2”; Disp.; 62,000 lbs.: Fuel: 1,236 gals.; Water: 120 gals.; Power: 2×1,150-hp CAT C18 diesels. Read more:
