Bertram, Caribbean 23 has NEW LAYOUT, SEATS, SOUNDER, FLOOR and MORE!

[@MrSamrobz]

Been around boats my whole life and I can honestly say the ride in these caribbean/Bertram's is as good as it gets for their size. Awesome hull, and will get you home in hairy conditions no problem. Nice job on the refit 👍

[@BaitBallin]

Thanks man. Yep people who haven't experienced or seen one in the water generally don't get it. Last weekend I watched heaps of boats head out getting smashed, then a crusader punched out through the slop barely bloody moving in comparison.....

[@MrSamrobz]

@@BaitBallin Haha yeah they are the tanks of the ocean, they just punch through the slop with ease. I am in Vic where every second boat is a Caribbean. The hull and design has remained the same for decades for good reason, you don't fix something that ain't broke. All the best with it mate im sure you will land heaps of fish on that beauty.

[@BaitBallin]

Thanks man!

[@jewyhunter_]

Much better bro 👌

[@BaitBallin]

Thanks man

[@easemailboxes]

You been busy! Well done. So much space. Much better. Congrats.

[@BaitBallin]

Thanks man, yeah it's a hard slog doing this solo in my spare time. But feels good to see some results

[@robbyt3242]

I like what you have done so far mate. Can't wait to see the end result. Raising the hard top will change the boat for the better for sure.

[@BaitBallin]

Thanks man, absolutely!

[@Sluf7]

Starting to look the Biz gonna be sweet withe 2 chairs and yup looks like a 3 day ride to the Stern now. Looking real clean and smart. Ya can't go wrong with epoxy. The electrical very tidy indeed. She is going to be a weapon. Good idea re Eski's behind seats makes for extra seating. Yeah raising roof will make it seem bigger but then needs to be done in keeping with boat style. Ya gonna have to get ya boat cover adjusted when ya do that. Good idea using all that space for tank as well. Keep at it and Carry on.

[@BaitBallin]

Yes absolutely agree. Forgot about the boat cover! Hahha darn

[@Sluf7]

@@BaitBallin I am sure they can extend it upwards for lil cost.

[@gearhigher2027]

WELL DONE MATE...I'm loving my 22' Suzuki DF200, can't see ever going to an I/O

[@BaitBallin]

I'm always up for an adventure 😂

[@CaptDavesSportfishing]

much better!!!!!! lookin' minty now.

[@BaitBallin]

Yeah much brighter and feels better

[@Jhwright07]

For the steering wheel you can grab a cheap "Jaw Puller" works great every time I encounter a stuck wheel which is pretty much every time...

[@BaitBallin]

Its just the bolt, apparently it's one super long bolt. So just need to hold other end. So may be ok.... But yes agree

[@Tradesatwork]

Raising the hard top and fitting a full floor tank imho is the best mod you can do to bring the boat up to next level, I know you didn't want to modernize it but it's a much better layout. I'm glad you changed your mind.

[@BaitBallin]

Ye absolutely agree. The fuel and lid raise will remove all the barriers to make alot an excellent boat

[@fishernick2447]

what product did you use to paint the deck ? Shame you didn’t film and post that process Just can’t get over the haircut hahaha

[@BaitBallin]

Hey it's called norglass deck paint. I thoroughly prepared area then applied with roller. 2 thick coats has done the trick.

[@simonstone3336]

Looking good mate 👌 👍

[@BaitBallin]

Thanks!

[@kardude71]

That thing is amazing! Very nice work so far! You didn’t sell the Bar Crusher did ya?

[@BaitBallin]

Yeah man, unfortunately alloy boats can only offer so much when it comes to ride quality. I'm getting old and fragile, so want the smoothest ride post these days. My plate days are over I'm affraid

[@Peter-wc4kr]

Nice job. I like the Lowrance HDS Live 16 inch fish finders. I’m looking to buy the 7 inch Lowrance HDS live model. I have chosen 7 inch because of limited space on my boat and I need to stick to a budget.

[@BaitBallin]

Yes great unit

[@BaitBallin]

Yep great little unit

[@energizing4133]

If money wasn’t an issue, if you could pick any electrics system on the market, fish-finder radar, all the works that have to be intuitive, what would you pick!?

[@BaitBallin]

Well I like simplicity of operation and dual chip MFDs, as I don't want heaps of small units around. So my personal ultimate set up is exactly what I will be doing. 2 X 16s simrad Evo 3s or hds live with good transducers, big radar etc. Pro fisherman will go for dedicated sounder units with 3-4kw transducers etc, but that's well beyond my needs

[@energizing4133]

@@BaitBallin thank you very much for that, can I have your take on Ray Marine products?

[@BaitBallin]

Hey, haven't used enough to comment tbh. I always rule them out on price vs features generally. But not saying they aren't good....

[@energizing4133]

@@BaitBallin thanks for that mate, how about Garmin? I see they have bought out Navionics, have you used Garmin much?

[@BaitBallin]

Yes had several Garmin units. Work well and probably the easiest to use on the market. Good quality in built charts.

[@jburn7360]

Looks great mate Would be good to see a video on making your side pockets, what resin and paint did u use ?

[@BaitBallin]

Hey just fiberglass resin with hardener. Apply with roller. A few coats. Then painted with norglass, single part high gloss paint, same process. Tint the resin same colour as you plan to paint...

[@changis_k]

What was the reason for you to switch from Simrad to lowrance? Currently looking for a new combo and thought of getting the evo3s 9“ and a tm265LH… anything i should know? (Will be mainly used in 300m+ water for jigging and trolling)

[@BaitBallin]

i want to try out the new 'live' feature. tbh none of the 1kw models work well in 300m plus they do OK but not great. that combo will be about the best for what you want in the price range tho

[@tanyahartin2844]

The new steering wheel you just bought might not fit if it has a round taped hole you might find out that it won’t fit because the one on the boat is a ride guide wheel and they have a square fitting and to get it of take the centre cap that says ride guide of and under neath is one long bolt

[@BaitBallin]

Arghhh damn it! Thanks for the info

[@easemailboxes]

That's the same chair as in my 8.5m

[@BaitBallin]

Very comfortable!

[@zaidethompson5680]

Loving the build mate What do you think on the sailfish s8 catamarans? I really like them just looking for someone elses thoughts.

[@BaitBallin]

They are a beast of a boat, I personally prefer monos. But they offer awesome ride and stability for an easy to manage craft. They aren't cheap, but seem to be worth the money for what they are

[@energizing4133]

Good work mate, like your videos & your unbiased reviews. Can I get your take on the Stabicraft 2750, I’m looking to get a big trailer boat & from the research I’ve done it looks like you couldn’t go wrong

[@BaitBallin]

Hey man, yeah absolute mega weapon of a boat. In that range / size also check out the Surtees 750 / 800, they will surprise you also. Couldn't go wrong with either stabi or Surtees at the upper size ranges

[@energizing4133]

@@BaitBallin thanks heaps mate, really appreciate it, while I’ve got you, can I ask your opinion on the Furuno electrics gear, furuno seem to be close to top of the line but it depends on who you ask, do you have an opinion on them?

[@BaitBallin]

The furuno stand alone fish finders are top of class, but their combo units I don't rate. For that I'd stick to simrad. Depends how high end you are going. I like dual chirp combo units, so the simrad Evo 3 and Lowrance HDS live work well enough for my purposes.

[@energizing4133]

Are simrad high end would you say? Compared to hummingbird & other competitors? I do see simrad have some very nice new gear

[@BaitBallin]

@@energizing4133 yes I rate simrad above those brands. Excellent units and easy to use.

[@energizing4133]

What’s your take on Yamaha outboards? I’m seeing now days most outboards should be reliable, is there anything different that justify’s Yamaha being more expensive?

[@BaitBallin]

Well to me no, they are bloody awesome but I can't justify the additional spend over a Suzuki. But don't underestimate the new Mercs either, they really are a sweet piece of gear.

[@grimreaper6112]

I own a Yamaha 4 stroke 150 never had a problem easy to service myself. Yamaha run a a timing belt instead of internal chain so do some car engines so thats not a problem why the extra expense no idea.