Anyone have or had a Seafarer Viking?

[whitebeach]

Thinking seriously about a Seafarer Viking. Seen a few that are for sale ranging from 1996 all the way to 2008. Has the hull changed in that time. Are there any years to avoid etc.
cheers
Joihn

[Mindi]

My brother has had one for 14 yrs and it has been superb boat, still rock solid. I dont know if the hull has changed in recent years.

[Outsider1]

The current shape was introduced in 1994 I believe. It is 5.5m compared to the old 5.2 dolphin nosed version which was really just an extended version of the original Vsea and introduced in the early 80's I think . Here is a link to an early test of the current shape model.;

http://www.marinews.com/details.php?recordid=466

http://www.marinews.com/contentImages/060115073940_bt-seaf9-0594001.jpg


Here is a link to one of the old 5.2m models;

http://boatpoint.ninemsn.com.au/boats-for-sale/boatdetails.aspx?R=6719732

http://liveimages.boatsales.com.au/dealerweb/boat/private/bp5054186052232741281.jpg

Great fishing boats, great cockpit with very little clutter. I am not aware of any significant issues with the current shape model introduced in 1994. My Dad has one bought new in 1996 and has never had a problem with it.

[Chimo]

WB

A few more paras to read
http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/showthread.php?t=132707 and http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/showthread.php?t=131757&highlight=5.5+seafarer

C

[boatboy50]

Hey WB,

The 5.5m Viking was introduced mid 1993. It is the exact same hull as the new boat today, with a couple of cosmetic changes in 1998 such as rounded windscreen and a few transom changes.

Overall a great boat, and only weighs around 1.5T.

Regards

Darren

[tenzing]

Hey Whitebeach, Why the change of heart?
Is it all a weIght issue. While the viking is a great boat for its size , is it not the size and stability you are after?
Is it the best thing to compromise what you are after in the boat so that it is easier to tow??
Just trying to keep you in two minds.
Brendan

[whitebeach]

Hey Whitebeach, Why the change of heart?
Is it all a weIght issue. While the viking is a great boat for its size , is it not the size and stability you are after?
Is it the best thing to compromise what you are after in the boat so that it is easier to tow??
Just trying to keep you in two minds.
Brendan

Well the towing is an issue here, being Tasmania, where we have friggin' mountains to go up and down. I'm not changing 4x4 so have to get something around 1500 k's so I don't hold up the traffic on the Tasman highway where logging trucks might decide to overtake me anyway, regardless if I have a boat or not! Is there such a difference from a 5.5 Viking to a 5.9?

[Chimo]

WB

Weight of the Vermont is 1000kg, weight of Viking is 850 kg
ie diff is one big tourist and his baggage;)

C

[tenzing]

WB I think I'm suggesting the same thing in 2 different threads. Check other one re boat weight.
I know what you mean about the loggers though. Closest I have come to dying on the road was when one of those bastards got his trailer sideways when he woke up to the fact that he was about to run over us head on going over to Strathgordon from Hobart a few years ago. Please allow me to pull my horns in about the boat being the only important thing.
I am really interested to see how you end up.
I can tell you that the vic has met its match once or twice on the way home on days that were mill pond starts.I wouldnt like to take 500mm out and drop a few hundred kilos if I had the choice.
I also laugh when I see that the viking is licensed for 6 adults. At the dock for drinks maybe. The vic takes 7 and I reckon is comfortable to fish with 3 and overnight with 2 unless you are family or very close friends.
Brendan

[whitebeach]

WB I think I'm suggesting the same thing in 2 different threads. Check other one re boat weight.
I know what you mean about the loggers though. Closest I have come to dying on the road was when one of those bastards got his trailer sideways when he woke up to the fact that he was about to run over us head on going over to Strathgordon from Hobart a few years ago. Please allow me to pull my horns in about the boat being the only important thing.
I am really interested to see how you end up.
I can tell you that the vic has met its match once or twice on the way home on days that were mill pond starts.I wouldnt like to take 500mm out and drop a few hundred kilos if I had the choice.
I also laugh when I see that the viking is licensed for 6 adults. At the dock for drinks maybe. The vic takes 7 and I reckon is comfortable to fish with 3 and overnight with 2 unless you are family or very close friends.
Brendan

At this rate I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up in a tin boat just to get the size without the weight! Grrrr...

[tenzing]

That would be a shame IMO.
Brendan

[whitebeach]

That would be a shame IMO.

Brendan

This would be an old but a good thread...Why?

[huskii]

hi, my dad has had the same viking since 1988. what a great boat for its size, handles the rough stuff inshore or offshore. You will not regret buying any seafarer

[pueter66]

The old mans had one of the old version for as long as they have made them and he swears by them. Quite a smooth riding boat for its size and age though I really get the shits with hitting my back on the hatch catch trying to crawl through to retrieve the anchor on the dolphin nose.