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We're sitting in Miami's Government Cut Inlet, where the effects of an out-going tide and incoming waves are not conducive to turning a boat broadside to the eastern horizon. Yet, that's the position in which the captain is holding the new Bertram 540 in order to demonstrate how its twin Mitsubishi anti-rolling gyros (ARG) are capable of what their name suggests — counteracting the inevitable rocking motion that such conditions induce. The 540 is rocking, but only about half as severely as I would expect in this situation — quite an improvement.

The ARG system, an option that adds to the boat's price but is well worth it, is a great feature. It makes the 540 more comfortable to be aboard while trolling as well as while at rest. But trolling and resting aren't what Bertrams are most famous for. Their worldwide renown is for how they behave when most other boats have slowed to a crawl or never ventured out of the harbor to begin with. Their wave-splitting ride and phenomenal seaworthiness put the brand on the map nearly five decades ago, and these are the qualities buyers still seek in a Bertram.

The 540 brings new features like ARG to a new model that is especially significant in the ongoing saga of the Miami firm because it's the same length as a past Bertram that is still revered — and still around. But does it retain the legendary ride? Without "the ride" Bertram concedes the traditional advantage that has kept it in an elite group of builders through good times and bad. It's a field that includes Viking, Hatteras, Riviera and Cabo in this production size range.

Prior to sitting in the inlet we had been offshore in close-set waves that were running 4 to 5 feet high. With nine people aboard, the captain did not want to push the boat to the point of discomfort; yet, the 540 cruised down-sea at 32 knots and into the wind at 24 knots. There was lots of spray, but no shudder — even coming off the occasional 7-footer. I've ridden on dozens of Bertrams, including several 54s, and I've owned two. I was still impressed. It's clear heavy seas continue to be the milieu in which a Bertram shows off to best advantage. Of course, Bertrams are known for their speed as well as for their ride, and the 540 measures up in that department too, topping 41 knots with 1,676 hp Caterpillar 32 diesels.

A foot wider than the first 54, and with underwater exhausts and prop tunnels, the 540 differs from its forebears in a long list of ways. Yet, in a number of respects it is similar. Even without the gyros, its 12-inch- wide chines bring new stability to this size range for Bertram — which is what the 54 did when it was introduced in 1981 with a deep-V hull modified in the stern to lessen roll.

Another shared distinction is that both boats' designs and features are products of owner input. "We held focus groups to determine what our clients most value in a sport-fishing yacht today," says Giovanni Vacchi, CEO of Bertram Yacht, during the 540's introduction. Back in 1981 customers had a yen for more racy lines."With designers Gianni and Paola Zuccon and the Ferretti Group now in charge of the drawing board, racy lines have become a Bertram forte. Today's customer desires what Vacchi calls "the best of both worlds," and he believes the 540 embodies this dual-purpose concept more successfully than any comparable boat on the market. "I am confident that we have found the perfect blend of both sport-fishing and cruising features," says Vacchi. "We believe this versatility is what is now setting us apart from all of the others in the field, and it is the direction that Bertram Yacht is now taking."

At the same time, Vacchi announced a new two-year warranty program, saying, "There is no other warranty offer like this one amongst our competitors in this segment." The warranty extends to five years for the hull and fiberglass structural components and encompasses a new tracking program called Alpha Delta Systems that will expedite claims. If the 540 is indicative of the direction future sport-fishing boats will take, you can expect to see where you are going from the salon as well as from the bridge. The 540 has a windshield, which is a real departure from the current design parameters that allow for only side and aft windows. This is another feature shared by the original 54 and the new 540.

The elimination of the forward windshield in the evolution of sport-fishing boats over the last 20 years seemed logical enough. Only the skipper really needs to see what lies ahead, and the skipper is on the bridge. Most of the action takes place behind the boat. Besides, back when they were ubiquitous, windshields were known to leak; big waves can crack them and eliminating them created a ton of space for cabinets and TVs and such. So why reinstate them? For one reason, it allows the 540 to have an optional lower station — you don't see many of those these days.

Vacchi calls the forward wraparound window the 540's "most striking new feature, [providing] breathtaking views of the surrounding waters and allowing an incredible amount of light to shine through the interior of the yacht. The windshield also highlights the 540's profile, which will likely become the yacht's signature." Indeed, from the exterior the front and side windows create a continuous black band around the superstructure that gives the 540's profile a sophisticated yet sporty aggressiveness — as if it were wearing lizard shades. From a distance you can't tell whether this band masks windows or is simply a snazzy design element.

As Vacchi points out, function was at least as important as form in the resurrection of the windshield. When you have the advantage of the 540's forward view it's almost counterintuitive to consider doing away with it.

Yes, this is a bright boat — right down to the VIP stateroom, whose overhead hatch makes it one of the brightest forward cabins I've been in. The forward windows definitely augment the salon's perceived dimensions. The big side windows contribute to the bright, spacious ambiance as well, despite one being partially blocked by cabinets that replace those usually found where the windshield is. As for additional heat, it's nothing the 540's 32,000-BTU salon cooling system can't handle. What if a rogue wave were to strike the glass encasing the salon? Not to worry. One aspect of the 540 Vacchi emphasized repeatedly is the depth and sophistication of the technology and engineering Ferretti brings to any of its new boats, Bertrams included.

The 54 debuted during a period dubbed the "Bertram decade," a phrase used in one chapter of the book The Legend of Bertram by David Patten and Jeffrey Rodengen. However, subsequent chapters are less than upbeat and chronicle the Bertram roller coaster ride as it was bought and sold by a series of owners, including conglomerates whose focus on boatbuilding lacked the intensity founder Richard Bertram brought to the task. But in 1998, Bertram was purchased by the Ferretti Group, an Italian boatbuilding powerhouse with the resources and know-how to bring an entirely new generation of Bertrams to market.

The company raised the bar on styling and interior design — credit for décor goes to Marty Lowe. The Bertram line now takes advantage of the Ferretti Advanced Yacht Technology Center's cutting-edge engineering and innovative methodology, all of which complements the expertise of Bertram veterans. A perfect example of this is that the 540's windows have greater resistance to wave impact than they would have if they were made of solid fiberglass.

As striking a feature as is the wraparound windshield, I was more impressed by the 540's innovative layout. Back when the 54 ruled, the question was: "galley up or galley down?" The 540 may well initiate a new debate: "galley forward or galley aft?" By radically repositioning the galley — traditionally in the salon's forward portside corner — to the salon's aft corner, and by having the aft window retract down into the bulkhead, the 540 puts the cook almost in the cockpit. Sandwich anyone? Just reach back over the mezzanine lounge and voilá!

The master stateroom has a queen berth and a clever pullout vanity that doubles as a laptop desk and storage drawer. The guest stateroom's angled-bunk arrangement offers more sleeping separation than you'd think possible in this space. White oak is standard, but I like the beautifully joined eucalyptus wood in this boat. If you need more sleeping room, the shelf below the windshield is single-berth size, as is the lounge bench on the bridge. A fixed, well-angled dash on the bridge that maximizes console storage is standard. An option I would choose is the starboard cockpit bait-prep station. A bench is standard, but so is the wide port mezzanine bench under the generous overhang (but you can still see the chair rod with your back to the controls).

The engine room, where you can almost stand up, is entirely gelcoated and, despite the wide lane down the center, you can get outboard of both engines. A 23 kW genset is standard and there is a second on the options list.

The 540 offers anglers all the fishing features they could want. Its forward windshield and lower station option will attract cold-weather and hot-weather cruisers alike, providing them with heat and air conditioning at the helm on a boat that can outrun storms and also operate safely if it gets caught in one. And then there's the Bertram ride — still hard to match. As Vacchi says, for both anglers and cruisers, "It's the best of both worlds."