35' VIKINGS

[Stripersniper]

Does anybody have any imput on the late 70's early 80's 35' viking sportfishers? I'm interested in their ride, on the hook, and trolling. Are they wet? How about gas vs diesel in a boat that is around 20,000 lbs. How's the cockpit space and layout? Any info would be a great help in my decision making process. Thanks

[MakoMike]

A Friend of mine runs one as a charterboat out of Montauk, and he's happy with it. I haven't fished on it but he does catch fish.

[Stripersniper]

Thanks for the reply MakoMike. I'm just trying to find out all I can before I get insane traveling looking at these boats.

[eppefour]

There was one on my dock back in the late 80's.They fished that boat hard. It was an express and they fished in all kinds of weather. It doesn't seem that it would be a good boat without diesels. My Egg Harbor weighed 17000 and it was all 2 454's could push and fuel comsumption was thru the roof. we added 100 gallons to the boat making 420gal and could burn 350 plus on an overnight from Ocean city,NJ to the Spencer Canyon.
I don't think it was wet beacause they never came back in foul weather gear even on bad days.

[anthony]

From what I know and have heard, they are decent boats and built fairly well. They will pound you in a head sea but the hull can take more than you (or I) can. I would never buy a boat that size with gas motors...diesel is the only way to go. Big blocks would probably burn 50 gallons an hour...at $3.00 per gallon that gets expensive in a hurry, not to mention diesel is safer, faster and requires less maintenance. Good luck in your boat shopping!

[Sterling]

I believe the UTSCH's had a late 80's express model for sale. Never rode one but it looked like a nice rig. I'll be over there today and if I see it still there I'll post back.

[sea scape]

I worked on one in the late 80's it was built in '82.. 42ft tho... we caught lots of Marlin wahoo and tuna... the cockpit was good the ride was a little rough when the waves kicked up in the gulf.. but the hull is solid and the spray wasnt to bad.
very well built boats I have always liked the look of them it was the first boat I worked on without hand rails just toerails..kinda freaked me out at first but got use to it this boat had diesel engines they always ran like a clock.
I only worked on ONE boat with gas engines and got stuck in the gulf.. after that I would not work on a boat unless they had diesel engines.. just a quirk of mine

The cockpit had enough room kinda lacked storage in the cockpit.. but it was a fishing machine!

That is what I know about them.

Surf

[djwhitman]

Friend of mine has a 35' with twin diesels. I have to go along with everyone on using them over gas engines even though i'm extremely allergic to the exhaust from diesels(sulfa emissions i think) and get extremely sick every time i go on a boat w/ them(except twice). We caught fish EVERY time, even with me running the cockpit,, amazing huh? So apparently they draw the fish well. Boat trolled like a dream and ran as well unless in a 6' headsea, then it would bang ya up a little. Tons of room inside and nicely laid out. His may be for sale and is in Morehead City now,, over close to 70west, or the other marina close by. If interested let me know and i'll call him, he may even give ya a test ride,, if you wanna fish all day. Good luck!!!
DJ Whitman

[Capt-D]

There was one on my dock back in the late 80's.They fished that boat hard. It was an express and they fished in all kinds of weather. It doesn't seem that it would be a good boat without diesels. My Egg Harbor weighed 17000 and it was all 2 454's could push and fuel comsumption was thru the roof. we added 100 gallons to the boat making 420gal and could burn 350 plus on an overnight from Ocean city,NJ to the Spencer Canyon.
I don't think it was wet beacause they never came back in foul weather gear even on bad days.

Hey Eppifour, what size was your egg. My owner just sold a 1987 43' egg. Nice ride but that boat had been beat. We were constintly working on the 671s. Danm heavy boats those eggs!

-D

[Stripersniper]

Eppefour- That's alot of gas. with that in mind diesels is the way to go. Thanks

Anthony- I heard that they pound you in a good head sea, I now feel the same about diesel's Thanks

Sterling- That would be great if you could check that out for me. I'm still tossed about bridge vs express. Thanks alot

S.G.- That's awesome to know that they raise fish. That's what I'm buying it for. Also so my 2 little girls can enjoy the water with me. Thanks for the imput. I'm glad that you had the opportunity to work on one and relay the info.

DJ- Great to hear. Please find out the details for me. I would love to get on one before I buy. I would pay the days expenses if we could set it up. Let me know Thanks.