Boating with Bubenzer
1/30/2007 10:36:21 AM by Sandy Lindsey
Bertram’s president, Joe Bubenzer, loves his job and the brand he represents so much that his fondest memories on the water have been aboard a Bertram — and with him at the helm Bertram Yachts will continue to flourish in a highly competitive industry.
It seems only fitting that the president of Bertram Yachts, Joe Bubenzer, owns a classic 1972 Bertram 31-footer. What makes this particular boat more interesting is the fact that it spent most of its life in service for the state of Virginia Marine Police. Currently, the vessel is being restored and re-powered.
“Bertram benefits from its strong heritage, which dates back to the early 1960s,” says Bubenzer. “The company earned its reputation for the ultimate ride in open waters back when we were building 20- to 30-foot boats, and today we have maintained that reputation building 36- to almost 70-foot boats. Fortunately we have been able to maintain our legendary status over the years, through continued innovation and strong manufacturing. Today, we also benefit from the strong support and advanced technology of our parent company, Ferretti Group.”
With Bubenzer at the helm, the company is most definitely not content to ride on past glories. “Bertram has doubled its product development, introducing two new boats per year,” he says. “In the current year, we will introduce a 41 Bertram, as well as another larger addition which is to be revealed later this year. Following these, Bertram will continue to develop at least two new models per year, increasing the upper level of our size range.”
Utilizing the extensive talents of the Ferretti design team, the new Bertrams offer true luxury yacht interiors with features such as high-gloss cherry joinery and top name appliances. Bubenzer is also keen on incorporating the latest boating technology, when applicable. For example, Bertram is one of the first companies to utilize the highly advanced ARG stabilization system. The design incorporates an anti-rotational gyroscope into the hull, to replace traditional stabilizer fins for a significantly smoother yachting and fishing experience.
Bubenzer believes in the lifestyle that Bertram builds. “I like to spend as much time as possible in, on or around the water,” he says. “I love to fish, both deep-sea fishing for marlin, billfish and tuna, as well as freshwater angling for snook and bass.”
The situation got exciting when during a fishing trip in Panama with his son at the Tropic Star Lodge, Bubenzer got into a pretty high-stakes “father-son” competition of who could land the first catch. “Incredibly, we had a double rooster fish on one of the first strikes of the day, but the lines were crossed, so I ended up having to break off my rooster fish so my son could land his...it was pretty intense, something neither of us will ever forget!” As part of his job, lucky Bubenzer joins in Bertram fishing tournaments from the Bahamas down to Costa Rica.
In addition to the 1972 Bertram, Bubenzer owns a ski boat that he uses for pleasure cruising with his family on the lake near his home. He also has some plans for a new bass boat, but cautions “don’t show this article to my wife!”