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I'm looking a couple of late-80's Viking 35 Convertibles. The primary use will be salmon fishing on Lake Michigan along with some weekend cruising and day trips. I'm looking for input on the sea-handling characteristics of this hull, as well as any Viking "flaws"or issues that anyone knows about. Most of the boats I'm looking at have 7.4L Crusaders...I know they are thirsty, but range isn't that big an issue on the Great Lakes.
I have made several posts on 35V's in the past. They have an odd shaped hull. You have to see it out of water to appreciate what I am going to try to describe. The hull is a modified V. That means it is not a deep v. Because it is a modified v one would expect better speed over a deep v and better fuel economy. Not so with the 35V. It's hull is wide at midships. It seems to plow through water. This effects it's head sea ride and couple that with a modified v she is not the best in rough seas. The fuel burn is also high for the boat and top speed suffers. Gassers have no place in the Vinkings nor the 35 Bertrams. Thses boats are just too heavy. If you just want to cruise in fairly nice weather and not need range than a 35V is a great boat. The interior is light years ahead of the 35Bertrams. Much more room; but the cockpit is very small. The only things I don't like are the funky hull and the very small cockpit. The rest is a well built boat from a quality builder.
I'm not that worried about range. It's only 70 miles across Lake Michigan to Wisconsin from our slip. But what you say about rough seas worries me. The Great Lakes often develop very large waves and the frequency is much shorter than the ocean. 3'-4' is pretty normal, and we often fish in 6'-8' or more. We generally run out 10-15 miles, troll at 2-3 kts. all day long and then run back. The Grady does ok, but I am definitely looking for something that can handle the rough stuff better.
Actually considered the 35 Viking and bought a 35 Bertram because of the ride. Ironically, I bought it up on Lake Michigan. Your boats sure do age well up in that fresh water.25 year old boat looks like its about 5 years old in Florida saltwater years. Did the sea trial in true 8 footers. Thoroughly sold.
So MM what kind of boat do you own? You are right about the Bertrams being great seaboats. Not many boats can run with the Bertrans in the same size class. That's what those deep V's buy you. They don't have the prettiest salons; but stuff that went into building them was top shelf. Damn few boats hold up as well also. If you want to drift, or overnight in the bay or cocktail curise most of the time get something other that a Bert and be happy. What to spend time where the fish live Bertram has got to near the top on the heap.
I have had many boats, big and small, right now we down sized to a 26 Regulator since I have many invites from fishing club buddies to go to the Canyon.
I know you like Bertams CB, in 484 posts you mensioned that.... lets see... 484 times, I'm happy you are in love with your boat, all the best to you and your beloved, but lets look closer at the first question, feed back on a 35 Viking, now I fished on few so I felt I had a bit of feedback to give, not much but something, I didn't tell him I own a Buddy Davis and that is really the only boat to own. Just sticking to the subject that's all.
FF: We keep 'em nice up here in the "sweetwater oceans". The short season and no salt make for some great older boats. Most large boats are stored inside for the winter...heated storage too...it gives us lots of time for maintenance and updates.
marlinmike: thanks for staying on target...great info. And you know, I'd love a Buddy Davis...just not quite in my budget!
CB: I know you love your Bertram...like mike said, you made that really clear...but your info about the V35 was really useful to me. Especially the description of the hull design. There are quite a few Berts around the Great Lakes...not as many as Tiaras and Vikings...but a lot.
I'm looking at all of the "quality" boats on the market trying to find the best combination of ride, layout, condition and price for my needs. All the input is much appreciated.
You are right. In fact, if you can wait till next year, wait until the end of September. If I remember right they store the boats for winter the middle of October. If the boat is for sale they rather sell it than pay the storage costs for another winter. Gives you a lot of leverage on price. The broker my seller used was Jack Danskin for Tigue Curran. He really made the long distance sale as trouble free as possible.
MM where is the info about the 35V? Saying it will have a better ride than his grady ain't much help. As for Buddy Davis. Nice boat a little to flat on the transom. Now that Egg has them look out for the toilet because that is where they are probably headded. Egg is only boat company I know that could go bankrupt right in the middle of the biggest boat buying boom in history. Hope they got better managment with the new team. Time will tell.
I have owned a Viking 35 Convertible for three full seasons on Lake Erie. I know what you mean when you are talking about wave heightds and periods! As far as ride and performance, I have the T-454 Crusaders and cruise at 20 mph and burn 34-35 gph. The ride has been fine, something that I attribute to the weight (20,000 dry) and I don't see a problem with the hull shape. She rides somewhat stern down as all sportfishermen seem to do but she definitely handles the seas better than some of the flatter hulls since she does have a 15.5 degree deadrise which is considerably more than some of the other hulls that are seen. I have nothing but good things to say about this boat and mine is a 1978 but in very fine condition.
Great info, Viking35...where do you keep your boat on Lake Erie? I looked at a couple of Tiaras that were down in the Port Clinton area. And my fishing buddy's father-in-law keeps his boat at Toledo Beach.
Lake Erie is a lot shallower than Lake Michigan. I imagine that makes the chop even worse.
Just got back from looking at 2 Viking 35' this weekend. I am in the market for a 35 footer. Here are my observations for what it is worth. The boats I looked at were a 1986 and 1989.
Both boat were very overpriced. The '86 was a 8/9 on a scale of 10 and they are asking $150K. The '89 is a 5 and they are asking $120K. The '89 was sinking when we got on it(high water alarm was going off). It needs $25K of little things to make it right and I don't know about the engines(the broker fired them up so he could use the crash pumps to evacuate some water until they can figure out why it is taking on water). The Viking seems substantial and well built and both boats looked good cosmetically. I like the angular style of the lates 80's early 90's Vikings.
The cockpit is approx the same size as my 27' Tiara which is inexcusable on a 35 footer. The Viking is a nice cruiser but needs to stay away from fishing. Both boats have 375 Cats and one broker says the boat cruises at 23/24 knots and the other says 18 knots at cruise. I saw a recent survey on one and the survey said the boat did 23 knots at WOT. Too slow. That boat is going to be a gas guzzling slug with gas engines. If you can live with 16/17 knot cruise speeds at 30 gph, get it.
I did find my next boat on this trip and it is also a 35 footer(not going to jinx it by spreading what it is) and the differences were amazing. Interior larger and more open, cockpit almost twice the size and a true 23/24 knot cruise on the same power. The boat I like also holds 100 more gallons than the Viking which is huge for me. This gives me "other side" range.
Just my opinion, if some disagree, please don't kill me.
I owned and operated a 1989 35 for many years. Fished and cruised between Annapolis and Cape Fear every year. Great boat! 24 knots true cuise (375 cats) and 28 WOT depending on sea conditions and condition of bottom, with a normal 1/natical MPG cruise. I usually fished with 4 others and had no cockpit problems, but we kept very few fish. I ran it in most sane, and stupidly in a few insane conditions usually trying to outrun approaching hurricanes. The worst was out of Masonboro to Morehead at night in steep 7 - 8 footers in the rain to avoid the bridges. Boat ran fine, I was stupid. Niney miles of a beating (17 knots) that I will not repeat, although my crew microwaved dinner and enjoyed themselves in the cabin. We kept going that night until we got to Belhaven and the next day to Annapolis. The boat is very responsive to tab input. Pick bow up, or down or whatever makes you comfortable. All I can say is I liked the boat, bought it new and would again.
Tigreen,
You have some great responses. By comparision: My 35Bertram with 300HP Cats cruises at 23Kts at 2500 RPM. One would expect a boat with much less deadrise and 150 more HP to cruise more than one kt faster than my 35B. The 35B also weighs over a ton more. I believe it is the "funky" shaped hull. As Jags pointed out the cockpit is really small for a 35 footer; but the large interior is the trade-off. Look the 35V is a fine boat for many applications. You could use it for offshore trolling with six guys; but it is designed more for family cruising or fishing. If you could find one with diesels you would have a very nice boat. By the way don't let asking prices scare you. If you are interested offer 20-30% less than asking. I have seen a trend with the internet. One guy prices his 35V at $150K so everyone follows suit. Jags is right a 35V with low hours on Cats should go for something in the $100-120 range.
Went back to look at my logs. At 2500rpm the boat would be at 25.6 knots, if that means anything. The best WOT I ever saw was clean and light at 2800rpm at 29.4 knots in the West River accross the Bay from Bloody Point. We fished the touraments from NJ to SC and never had any fishablity problems. I only had a rocket launcher in the cockpit however, A chair would have made things tight. Trolled, drifted and bottom fished (to about 30 fathoms) to 100 fathoms regularly. I liked my Bert too when I owned it. I tried never to push the weather in either.
Tigreen,
We keep the boat in West Harbor, which is just East of Port Clinton. As far as the Lake Erie chop, I have only been on Lake Michigan twice and both times it has been relatively flat, so I can't compare. Good luck in your quest.
Viking 35 Convertible - feedback wanted 
