What Happened To Bertram Yachts?

Richard Howard Bertram, a renowned American boat builder and broker, was a champion sailor on powerboats and racing yachts. He started his yacht brokerage firm in 1947 and later founded Bertram Yachts. Bertram Yachts built over 1,800 Moppies until regular production ceased in 1983. In 1998, Bertram joined the Ferretti Group, a conglomerate company in motoryacht manufacturing, and their combined technologies led to the creation of a new Bertram division operating at Bagliettos site in Marina di Carrara for the construction and sale of Bertram yachts in Italy and Europe.

In 2016, Bertram chose a 120,000 square-foot bayfront facility near the Ferretti Group for its new shipyard. The Italian group revived Bertram Yachts in 1998, focusing on its line of sportfishing yachts, with the flagship being the Bertram 80. Bertram was acquired by Whittaker Corporation in 1968, expanding the factory to become one of the largest pleasure-boat builders in the world.

Bertram Yachts is known for making rugged, versatile boats, including sportfishing and flybridge yachts. The company announced it has acquired a waterfront facility on Florida’s Gulf Coast, where it can build new boats. Bertram is now owned by Gavio Group, who also owns Baglietto and Cerri, Italian custom super yacht builders.

In 2015, Bertram plans to move its headquarters from South Tampa to Port Tampa Bays property.