Transforming a Classic Bertram into an Aussie Riva 25 Sportfish: Reviving a Dream

I’m an Aussie boat nut with a dream: to transform a tired 1960s 25 ft Bertram into a unique fusion of American muscle and Italian style. The original Bertram 25 was a breakthrough – an all fiberglass, deep vee design introduced in 1961 that earned a reputation for speed and seaworthiness. Italian builder Riva later teamed up with Bertram to create the Riva Bertram 25 Sport Fisherman, blending refined aesthetics with the sturdy Bertram hull. Inspired by that collaboration, I’ve reshaped the window line to mirror the classy Riva curves, extended the roof and engineered a lifting roof on actuators to provide more headroom and ventilation while staying true to the iconic silhouette.

It’s been a labour of love over five years. I’ve just completed the lifting roof after several attempts – not perfect, but a huge milestone. Every step forward has required me to earn the next batch of resin and hardware by working long hours or working away as a fire sprinkler fitter. When money runs out, I head back to job sites, juggling overtime, training, mountains of frustrating paperwork and mandatory administrative work. That cycle has been physically and mentally draining, but it’s also made personal life complicated.

I share parenting of my son Arnold (9) with my ex partner. On the days I have him, I’m often struggling to do school runs, homework, bonding time and dinner while squeezing in hours on the boat. My fiancée Stacey has been my biggest cheerleader — lending a hand when she can and encouraging me every step of the way. She has her own work commitments, so it’s not easy for her to drop everything, yet she’s always been understanding. After five years of hearing me say “just a little longer,” it’s natural for her to wonder when we’ll finally get on the water, and I can’t blame her for feeling that way.

By contributing to this campaign, you’ll help us:

• Finish the build: Cover essential materials like resin, fiberglass and paint so this project can finally reach the water.

• Free up time: Reduce the overtime I need to work, giving me more days to be a present dad for Arnold and to focus on the boat without burning out.

• Share the journey: Invest in video equipment to document the build. I want to show my son that dreams are possible and share our story with fellow boat lovers.

This boat is more than a vessel; it’s an opportunity to honour a classic design and show what’s possible when you refuse to give up. By finishing this project and sharing the build online, I hope to inspire boat enthusiasts everywhere — and kids like my son Arnold — to be persistent, to chase their dreams and to experience the joy of creating something with their own hands. Your support will not only preserve an iconic piece of boating history and ease the strain on our family but also help send a message to future tinkerers and young dreamers around the world: if you keep going, the reward of building your dreams is worth it. Thank you for helping us get this beautiful Bertram/Riva hybrid back in the water and for being part of our journey.