Engine Bedding - 35 Bertram

We am currently in progress with restoring the engine bedding for my 1973 35’ Bertram. Below are some photos of the bedding that We installed. They are treated (.80 pcf CCA) pro lams that have been cut to match the old bedding…















Here is a photo of the engine mount that was removed. There were 4 or so 1/4" steel shims that were cut to fit under the mount and it was lag bolted with lock washers into the old bedding.

The old bedding was a mahogany 2x12 with 3/4" plywood ribs for strength. We had no problems with them in the 10 years we owned the boat and the repower was in 1987, so they beds lasted at least 18 years and all but one could have been reused and that rotted from ponding water…



We replaced what we took out.

It has been suggested that we add a metal plate to the top of the bedding for additional strength…

I can’t figure out the purpose that the plate would serve other than to distribute the engine load over a larger surface area on the bedding…

Is it something else that I’m not thinking about???

 

It looks good. A metal plate may be more hassle than it's worth. Also, if the original beds were wood and worked well, a more rigid system may cause problems. That is, stress cracks from hard spots. I see some kind of caulk or adhesive in between, that is a proper installation. Good luck.