Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 boat specs
Bertram
Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013
2013
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VS
Bertram Convertible 1985 boat specs
Bertram
Bertram Convertible 1985
1985
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Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 vs Bertram Convertible 1985 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 vs Bertram Convertible 1985 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 480 hp for the Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 and 465 hp for the Bertram Convertible 1985. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 3 gal and 3 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bertram Convertible 1985 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bertram Convertible 1985 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bertram Convertible 1985 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 42,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail38.00 ft
Length overall - Detail42.00 ft
Length - Feet38
Length - Feet42
Length overall - Meters11.58
Length overall - Meters12.8
Length overall - Inches456
Length overall - Inches504
Draft [max] - Detail14.99 ft
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters4.57
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches180
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Displacement4.98 lbs
Displacementnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1135.62
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1135.62
Engine makeVOLVO PENTA
Engine makeDetroit Diesel
Horsepower480 hp
Horsepower465 hp
Drive typeinboard
Drive typeinboard
Engine 2 Engine MakeVOLVO PENTA
Engine 2 Engine Makenot available
Engine 2 Horsepower480 hp
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeinboard
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeDiesel
Performance
Cruising speed25
Cruising speednot available
Cruising speed measureknots
Cruising speed measurenot available
Maximum speed30
Maximum speednot available
Maximum speed measureknots
Maximum speed measurenot available
Operational Info
Boat typePower
Boat typePower
Cabinsnot available
Cabins2
Headnot available
Head1
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity15
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal4
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters151.42

Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 vs Bertram Convertible 1985 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 or the Bertram Convertible 1985?
The Bertram Convertible 1985 is the longer of the two at 42,0 feet overall. The Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 comes in at 38,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 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 Convertible 1985 tops out at 465 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 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Bertram Convertible 1985 is certified for 12. 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.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 and Bertram Convertible 1985?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 3 gallons and 3 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.
Are the Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 and Bertram Convertible 1985 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Bertram 38 Sport Fisherman 2013 and the Bertram Convertible 1985 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.