Viking 43 v. Hatteras 43 convertible 1996-98 vintage

[kwick release]

I know there are plenty of posts here about these two, but can we give it a go again?

I was leaning towards the late eighties 45 Hatteri convertibles, but I have now drifted back into the late nineties and have narrowed down to these 2 boats. With the right boat of the late nineties vintage, I feel like I can get away initially with just a repower rather than a total hull-up refit compared to the eighties models that are available. Is my thinking wrong here? Will be using mostly for cruising the intracoastal in FL and probably 2-3 offshore trips per month out of Seb inlet and/or Port Canaveral.

The Viking and Hatteras models are both going for approx $400k on yachtworld. I notice that the Hatteras has roughly 4000lbs more displacement (approx 40k lbs?) over the Viking and the Viking (15'3") has a wider beam than the Hatteras (14'3"). Also the Hatteras generally has the 535HP 6V92 TA Detroits and the Viking comes with a variety of deisels such as 625HP 6V92 Detroits or 660HP 3196 CATs. I assume the Viking will be faster but the Hatteras will be a slightly better ride. Some have said that the Viking has a wet ride

Any thoughts?
Thank you.

[darbikrash]

Personally, I would stay away from any boat with 625 hp 6V92's or Cat 3196's, unless you knew for sure you wanted to re-power, and the price was discounted accordingly.

[Conundrum]

I just sold an 87 41' Hatt that I'd had for over 15 years - it was a great boat and I hated to sell it but didn't want to sink the $$ into rebuilds and repainting. I ended up with an 01, 43 viking with 800 MANS. I specifically moved up in model years to avoid a boat with any 6-92 engines. I know that MAN's have their own set of issues, but all boats and engines do I think. The 6-92's are pretty much a known hand grenade. As for the ride, I really like the ride of the 43 viking. I'm not sure if it's wet or not because the Hatt I sold was like standing in a shower so my basis for comparision is bad.

Good Luck

[kwick release]

Thanks for the info on the engines. Lots to think about here. Maybe the best is to get the late nineties Viking and repower immediately if the discount on the boat is enough...