Bertram 33 Sport Fisherman 1979 vs Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Boat Comparison

Bertram 33 Sport Fisherman 1979 vs Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013

Bertram

Bertram 33 Sport Fisherman 1979

1979

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Bertram

Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

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

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

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.

← Bertram 33 Sport Fisherman 1979 full specs ← Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 full specs