25ft Bertram Cruiser

Original engine 310hp Mercruiser Inboard/outboard

Raced by Charles de Selincourt 1963 onward.

The arrival of Dick Bertram with Glass Moppie and YOYO for the 1961, then Blue Moppie and YOYO 2 for the 1962 Daily Express Cowes Torquay powerboat races stimulated great interest in the Bertram built, Ray Hunt designed cruisers within the racing fraternity.

Nelson Yachts had been appointed British importers and ’63 saw the Cowes race with no less than 8 of these American built cruisers entered 5 31’s and 3 25’s , one of these craft was the standard production cruiser Paper Tiger in her vivid Yellow and White colours being raced by Charles de Selincourt who went on to gain fame as Tommy Sopwith’s navigator in later years.

Paper Tiger was raced for the next 5 years and then vanished as do most race craft, being a true cruiser she probably led a happy life somewhere and it would be interesting to know where!.

Fast forward to 2008 and what appears on ebay, Paper Tiger looking in a very sorry and tired state with some ungainly additions in the form of an extended pulpit, bathing platform and tuna tower!!!!!!

Several people were interested in acquiring her but once they found out that the internal foam coring of the cockpit floor and side decks had degenerated, were put off. After several appearances on ebay one brave soul bought her Ian Saunders of Romsey Hants, who was already three quarters of the way through restoration of a Bertram 31 but that is another story.

Tiger was brought back to Hampshire on the back of a low loader as her road trailer had seen far better days and was in a worse state than her. As can be seen from the accompanying photos Ian has attacked the job in hand with vigour and hopes to have her back on the water for early Summer 2010 just in time for the 50th anniversary of the CT.

I have been assured, by Ian, she will be restored to her original glory and he is looking forward to entering some Classic Races with what will be a very reliable offshore cruiser of proven history.

Mike James

14/08/09