ANYBODY EVER FISH ON A 35 VIKING EXPRESS????

[fishocean]

Was wondering if anybody ever fish on 35 Viking Express ? How they ride?,Visibility? Economical(3208 Cats) ? Any info would help?
Thank You in Advance!

[hobie2]

i have a 41 viking that is a tank, not sure how the 35s are but the 41 is a battle wagon.

[fishocean]

Thanks Hobie2. Thought maybe would have more input.

[Bligh]

Most had 3208 cats . If you can steal it good. some vikings had some balsa coring problems back then. Ride wise its a little harsh but we fished some bad seas.most express boats take some spray at express level in some seas. same with viking 35. If you can find history of ownership? I fished on 3 different ones in the early 80s I believe?

[Fortunate One]

I didn't realize until today that Bertram built an Express.

They called it a 38 Special.

I thought that looked like an interesting express boat.

[captian]

I own a 35 Viking convertible with 320hp 3208 cats. I have had this boat for about 4 1/2 years. First, off let me say this, Viking built one heck of a boat back in the day. I could only imagine how they have improved on them since. The ride on my boat is a steady 19knts at 2200 RPM. not fast by any standard of today’s boats but add to that fact that I can run 19 knots into 6-7 footers 6hours strait, heading to or from the canyon, and the boat has never shown any signs of defeat. The ride can get a little wet up on the bridge when the seas are abeam but with a little trim you can run 18-19 knots up or down sea with little effort. I just brought the boat down to Sneads Ferry NC from brick Town NJ. I never had one single problem, approx. 500NM in a well kept 1986 35 Viking convertible, I'll say it once again, Viking builds one heck of a boat. I'll take a boat with a slightly wetter or rougher ride if I know I can depend on it to bring me home in just about any sea.

[floridadeckie]

I didn't realize until today that Bertram built an Express.

They called it a 38 Special.

I thought that looked like an interesting express boat.

They've made a few different express boats. the 38 Special was one of the first, then followed the 30 and 36 Moppie express as well as the 43 and 46 express

[fishocean]

I like what I am hearing so far what about fuel burn on these boats?What kind of total hrs can you get out of a set of 3208 Cats? I know it all has to do with mantenance,but just asking anyway?1500,2000,2500hrs ,etc???? thanks again for the input!

[eppefour]

There was one on my dock back in the 80's. They fished it hard in all kinds of seas. It was evidently wet sometimes but they loved the boat. The only complaint I ever heard was that the cabin tended to be damp. They ran the air conditioner 24/7 in the summer at the dock to keep it mildew free.

[eppefour]

Viking 35 Express