2010 Bertram 540

The cruising Bertram 540 was intended to be a family cruising/sportfishing convertible rather than a dedicated tournament boat. The important thing is that the hull, running surface and basic offshore capability are the same as the serious fishing version. Bertram described both versions as having the same hull and exterior lines.

The hull has the classic Bertram characteristics: very fine entry, sharp bow, long waterline and deep-V. Bertram also located the single fuel tank on the centerline of buoyancy to minimize trim changes as fuel is consumed.

The large forward window. It gives the salon a tremendous amount of visibility and natural light and makes the boat feel considerably more like a cruising yacht.

The Recreational Edition has the galley aft, adjacent to the salon/cockpit connection. This is one of the major differences from the Hard Core Fishing version, which moved the galley forward to free up space for fishing storage.

The aft galley also makes the boat particularly good for entertaining because food and drinks can be passed directly between the galley and cockpit.This is one of the nicest features of the 540.The large aft window drops down into the bulkhead, opening the galley/salon directly to the cockpit. It allows someone inside to hand food or drinks directly into the cockpit.

The side windows are large, multi-layer glass panels engineered by Ferretti Group's Advanced Yacht Technology group. The windows were structurally integrated into the hull rather than simply being cosmetic openings.

The Recreational 540 has a considerably more contemporary interior than the traditional Bertram 54.

Typical features include:

• White-oak cabinetry
• Large salon
• L-shaped/settee seating
• Entertainment center
• Large windows
• Open galley
• Air conditioning
• Modern LED lighting
• Integrated stereo
• iPod connectivity
• Multiple 12V/110V outlets

The overall effect is much more luxury cruising yacht than tournament sportfish, while retaining the Bertram hull underneath.

The layout is three staterooms and two heads, making the 540 a very usable family cruising boat.

The accommodations include:

• Master stateroom
• Forward VIP/Queen guest stateroom
• Port guest stateroom with twin berths
• Two heads
• Generous hanging lockers
• Air conditioning
• Entertainment systems
• Good storage

The flybridge is another strong point.

• Large helm
• Companion seating
• Forward U-shaped lounge
• Teak Helm and companion pedestal seats
• Stainless steering wheel
• Compass
• Electronic controls
• Engine synchronizer
• Integrated stereo
• Optional flybridge table

Cockpit

Even though it was the cruising version, it was still very much a Bertram sportfish.

It retained:

• Large cockpit
• Transom door
• In-deck fish boxes
• Baitwell
• Rod storage
• Mezzanine seating
• Tackle storage
• Cockpit freezer options
• Transom fish box
• Underwater exhaust

The boat could therefore be used seriously for fishing without giving up the more comfortable cruising layout.

The underwater exhaust is significant. It moves exhaust noise away from the cockpit, which makes a big difference when you're sitting in the cockpit or fishing. Bertram specifically incorporated it to make the cockpit environment quieter.

A luxury cruising convertible built on a serious Bertram offshore hull, with the visibility and entertaining advantages of the wraparound windshield and aft galley, but still retaining a legitimate sportfishing cockpit.

And for someone who appreciates the older Bertrams, I think the Cruising 540 is an especially interesting bridge between the traditional Bertram sportfish and the more contemporary Ferretti-era Bertrams.