A little more than two years ago, speedonthewater.com published a feature called "Restoration Project: Bertram Competition 38'". In that story, we chronicled the work Kurt Groom, the owner of the 1975-built sportboat, did to restore his vintage 38-footer. The results were impressive and stunning.
Groom is hoping to complete the latest phase of his project and be back on the water by November.
Turns out that Groom, who lives in DeLand, Fla., wasn't finished—not even close. About six months ago, he decided to completely update and renovate the boat's faring and dash, and expand its interior to seat five. To raise and widen the boat's faring, Groom turned to Will Smith of Phantom Boats in Sarasota, Fla.
"Will did all the fiberglass work on the faring and dash, and he reinforced the deck," said Groom. "We are moving all the gauges, the steering wheel and the throttles and shifters to the right side of the dash—as you recall they were in the center of the dash."