04/22/2026
People went nuts when we shared this, with nearly 1k comments. Half of them didn't take the time to read the story, the owner found the boat already cut up being scraped, and he salvaged it. We outfitted the entire vessel, and the owner has been loving it in Costa Rico ever since.
What an incredible transformation! This 31 Bertrams top was completely removed, and made into a center console, borrowed from a 31 Contender. Then it was stretched to 36' with the outboard engine platform. We are almost finished rigging her, and she just got her new t-top installed, built by Adam Triay from All Aluminum Concepts. She's almost ready to ship back to Costa Rica!
Post edit to all the purists: It should probably be noted that the owner found this boat as it was being cut up to junk it. The top was already removed. He salvaged it. He has already owned 3 Bertrams, and as a very knowledgeable fisherman and boat owner currently living in Costa Rica, he knew exactly what he wanted to do, and did exactly that. Not to mention the tax benefits of importing an old hull, verses a newer one. I realize this is one of the most iconic hulls of all time, i grew up fishing a 28. This wasn't a blasphemy, this was a resurrection! A very purpose built resurrection.