Bertram 33 Sport Fisherman 1979 boat specs
Bertram
Bertram 33 Sport Fisherman 1979
1979
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VS
Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 boat specs
Bertram
Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013
2013
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Bertram 33 Sport Fisherman 1979 vs Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bertram 33 Sport Fisherman 1979 vs Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 480 hp, the Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 has a 165-hp advantage over the Bertram 33 Sport Fisherman 1979's 315-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Bertram 33 Sport Fisherman 1979 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 38,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bertram 33 Sport Fisherman 1979 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail33.00 ft
Length overall - Detail38.00 ft
Length - Feet33
Length - Feet38
Length overall - Meters10.06
Length overall - Meters11.58
Length overall - Inches396
Length overall - Inches456
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail14.99 ft
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters4.57
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches180
Displacementnot available
Displacement4.98 lbs
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeCummins
Engine makeVOLVO PENTA
Horsepower315 hp
Horsepower480 hp
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeinboard
Drive typeinboard
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1135.62
Engine 2 Engine Makenot available
Engine 2 Engine MakeVOLVO PENTA
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Horsepower480 hp
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeinboard
Operational Info
Head1
Headnot available
Boat typePower
Boat typePower
Performance
Cruising speednot available
Cruising speed25
Cruising speed measurenot available
Cruising speed measureknots
Maximum speednot available
Maximum speed30
Maximum speed measurenot available
Maximum speed measureknots

Bertram 33 Sport Fisherman 1979 vs Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Bertram 33 Sport Fisherman 1979 or the Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013?
The Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 is the longer of the two at 38,0 feet overall. The Bertram 33 Sport Fisherman 1979 comes in at 33,0 feet, making it roughly 5,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 is rated to a maximum of 480 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Bertram 33 Sport Fisherman 1979 tops out at 315 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Bertram 33 Sport Fisherman 1979 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 is certified for 11. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Are the Bertram 33 Sport Fisherman 1979 and Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Bertram 33 Sport Fisherman 1979 and the Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 are built by Bertram. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.