Why I don't like Vikings

[MikeP]

If Vikings are any "wetter" than 1510 Hatts, they would properly be called "submersibles!"

HOWEVER, being "wet" has nothing to do with being seaworthy. We have been in rather rough, stiff following seas about 10 miles offshore northbound to NY with the boat surfing down the rollers and chugging up the other side for many hours. We had extremely heavy spray coming in at the eyebrow (bad caulking), and under the side doors as well as heavy spray over the flybridge.

It was not fun for us but the boat had no trouble with it at all...though it took a LOT of work at the helm.

 

[Fanfare]

If you run the 15 10 MYs on plane, their originally intended cruise speed, you really don't need stabilizers.

 

[captddis]

No comparison. A 90 VINTAGE Viking will have steady water running running down the gunnels and into the cockpit. I had a customer who bought a new 45C in 1991. He had to buy an electric pump because all of the cockpit storage would fill up to the top with sea water.

Spray will come over the bridge in a 5kt breeze.

 

[Pascal]

If you run the 15 10 MYs on plane, their originally intended cruise speed, you really don't need stabilizers.

Not sure the 1510s MYS were originally intended to run on plane...there is no way they will plane with the naturals that Hatteras originally installed in the early boats and even with the later turbos, they will just make it on plane fully loaded

Every boat whether viking, bertram or hatteras has its share of issues... Has anyone ever seen a hatteras without rotten core? For years hatteras thought it was ok to drill a couple hundreds screws in balsa cored decks and protect the core with a dab of sealant...

 

[krush]

None of these boats were built to last more than 20 years. It's that simple.

 

[rsmith]

Anyone care to comment about hull integrity issues on modern Bertrams? I have seen/heard stories about the hull sides falling apart. Are they true? Seems like they were from reliable sources.

There was a YouTube of a new 60 Bertram coming apart and sinking.

The Yellow hull caused it! BAD LUCK!!!

 

[Bob Bradley]

Must be "Banana Yellow".

 

[rsmith]

Must be "Banana Yellow".

Absolutely!!!

 

[saltshaker]

There was a YouTube of a new 60 Bertram coming apart and sinking.

The Yellow hull caused it! BAD LUCK!!!

That one didn't sink and it was the second one the owner had structural problems with.

 

[saltshaker]

If Vikings are any "wetter" than 1510 Hatts, they would properly be called "submersibles!"

HOWEVER, being "wet" has nothing to do with being seaworthy. We have been in rather rough, stiff following seas about 10 miles offshore northbound to NY with the boat surfing down the rollers and chugging up the other side for many hours. We had extremely heavy spray coming in at the eyebrow (bad caulking), and under the side doors as well as heavy spray over the flybridge.

It was not fun for us but the boat had no trouble with it at all...though it took a LOT of work at the helm.

Most refer to them as submarines.

 

[rsmith]

That one didn't sink and it was the second one the owner had structural problems with.

I remember a pic of one on the bottom pretty sure it was this one

 

[Boatsb]

That one didn't sink and it was the second one the owner had structural problems with.

That's right jack. They said the delamination was only cosmetic. I'm sure he'll go back again soon for his next boat.

I have done more blister repair on hatts than vikings. Probably because there are more surviving hatts of those years and their still in use. Of the older sports fish boats I don't see nearly as many vikings in our area as hatts. But we have done a few with saucer sized blisters. Never any that big on a hatt.

 

[Cricket]

It's sad to say but Viking's sportfish boats are now so far ahead of the other production builders that it will almost be impossible to catch up as long as Viking has the current management structure (the Healy's). Hatteras didn't even bother to show up at the White Marlin Open this year which tells me they've already given up, at least in the Midatlantic. .

 

[captddis]

I remember a pic of one on the bottom pretty sure it was this one

No different boat. The sinker was white.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I think around the same time that Viking was building boats with a wooden hall and fiberglass top side, Egg Harbor was building boats with a fiberglass hall and wood topside . . If you could find one of each of these, you could have a complete boat in the material of your choice

 

[Pascal]

I hitched a ride earlier this year on a recent 74 Viking between Staniel and Cave, and back. 3 foot shop and 20kts of breeze. Ton of water hitting the enclosure and seeping thru, spray wrapping around the back ... Sure a 30+ cruise is impressive but not comfortable

 

[jpk55]

I had a '78 35' Viking, I think they called it
anconvertible. If it was moving I had spray on
the bridge.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Not sure the 1510s MYS were originally intended to run on plane...there is no way they will plane with the naturals that Hatteras originally installed in the early boats and even with the later turbos, they will just make it on plane fully loaded

Every boat whether viking, bertram or hatteras has its share of issues... Has anyone ever seen a hatteras without rotten core? For years hatteras thought it was ok to drill a couple hundreds screws in balsa cored decks and protect the core with a dab of sealant...

I disagree that the `1510's were not designed to plane. Look at the old videos of the the 53 about the the vintage of yours running on plane. When they were new and before they wicked up water and were overloaded with gear, they planed. They also didn't have tired, worn out 871n's. They were new and up to spec.


I also see people on this forum posting really low performance numbers for their 43DC's. Back in the 70's when my dad owned one with 671n's, it ran much faster, but again it was also much newer. Time takes a toll on these old girls.

 

[saltshaker]

I remember a pic of one on the bottom pretty sure it was this one

No this one was a replacement boat for another one that was having issues. Bertram took back the bad hull and replaced it with this one that came apart in less than a year. A long way from the Ray Hunt boats.

 

[bigbill]

nobody mentioned that viking still uses balsa coring in there hull bottoms. not a good idea if you ask me. think coring problems are a pain in the ass on the top sides.....