Sea Farer Viking

[nowornever]

I have purchased a Sea Farer Viking, as I remember one of the pitfalls was the pine transom but other than that I beleive they are a very good sea boat.

Who here owns one, whats your opinion on the boat. I personally have been through some incredable weather in them and gone over waves I wouldnt of attempted in another boat.

An old boat but a classic in my opinion.

[champion]

Re: Sea Farer Viking

mate i too own a Seafarer (venus) i cant fault it.
solid boat, can handel it all !!

Unfortunatly its for SALE. (i was told we need to by a house, i replied "we can live on the water")

So the boat is on the market (yes we know who wears the pants)

[polky]

Re: Sea Farer Viking

Matey I also have a Seafarer VC, they are an excellent sea going boat with the hull on the vc,venus and viking coming from the same mould,just different lengths. The transom where the only worry, I had my transom and floor replaced 14mths ago. Sadly mine is also on the market, needed a halfcab so I can take my 2 sons to the reef on overnighters. Ive been 60nm of the coast in 20knts and 1.7mtr swells and the Seafarer got me home safe. Oldie but a Goodie. Polky.IMO.

[Jabba_]

Re: Sea Farer Viking

I own a Vermont. Awesome boat.. Handles rough condition with out a problem, and remarkably it is extreamly stable at rest or under way on large swell...

[Noelm]

Re: Sea Farer Viking

almost all of the older seafarer range has an almost cult following, and for the price they are a reasonable Boat, but they did have thier dramas, the floor was especially suspect, the Transon did have some problems but not as much as the foor, regardless of what most will say, they are not particularly stable (but not too bad) the VC had a very poorly designed Transom and will get water over the back if anchored in a good chop and a couple of People fish at the back, the Viking was good for a refreshing surprise, like a wave over the front, especially if you were in that hatch trying to pull in the Anchor in a chop, and the Anchor well setup under the deck was useless, not a lot can be said for the fitout, because as standard there was nothing! just a side pocket on each side, some had a storage hatch/bin setup under the foredeck, and those fold up seats were a real surprise if you sat on them when actually moving, especially if the leg folded up under you! but all in all they where a good Boat for the price, and hundreds of them are still going and going well, and some have been fitted out to be good fishing "machines".

[nowornever]

Re: Sea Farer Viking

Cult following is correct, I agree in a very large swell they can be less stable than other boats, but when moving they are hard to beat. I have been through some weather in the Viking I wouldnt do in most other boats.

As far as bringing up the anger from the front hatch, I think your asking to be hurt if you do that. I would rather pull the anchor into a crate at the side of the boat.

But when the Viking is on the move, I persoanlly think they leave the competition for dust.

[Noelm]

Re: Sea Farer Viking

well up to a point they may leave SOME competition in the dust, but when side on to a decent wind, they "smack down" on one side like they are going to fall to bits, and I know a lot of Boats do this, but a Viking is just the best at it, (except for maybe an Alison) I had a Viking for years and spent some memorable trips home side on to the Wind , trust me on that one! another thing that you may not know or even notice, when at Anchor they will move all over the place, I think it may have something to do with the shape of the cab and how it catches the wind or something, but if you are Anchored close to someone, you will know what I mean, one minute you will be along side them, next minute you will be miles away!

[ozscott]

Re: Sea Farer Viking

I have only limited experience with Seafarer first hand. I have the Vagabond which is a great boat. I have had it for about 3 years now. It is a very good sea boat and very stable at rest. The transom has a little bit of soft, but the thickness of the glass is amazing in the transom and there is absolutely no flex (and both a marine suveyor who has examined the boat before purchase and the owner of Seafarer reckon I will never have a problem with it) - the transom is also heavily curved which helps strength. The floor is like concrete in mine. In my V163 Haines which was the same age (74/75) the floor was not only crap but when I cut it out it was only about 7-8mm ply and 1-2mm glass over it (none under it) - I was pretty disappointed with that and replaced it with 12mm wood and 3-4mm glass and sealed underneath also. Its transom was good though. Overall the Vagabond is the better built boat in my opinion when comparing the 2 of almost the same year.

I know that the Vagabond is a bigger boat with a different hull but I thought I would pass along my observations.

[champion]

Re: Sea Farer Viking

Well boys if the Seafarer brand was so bad then why did one of the bigger boat makers just buy them out last week ? (maybe a rumour, but i dont think so)

[Noelm]

Re: Sea Farer Viking

no one said they were bad, but some of the early ones were a tad sparse in their fitout and suffered some floor and transom dramas, but indeed, Seafarer has been bought out! I guess by your defensive post, that you have one, and like most people do not want to hear a bad word about them, does not matter if it is a Yamaha or whatever, someone says a negative thing about it, and the other owners start to brace for a "brand loyalty" war!

[champion]

Re: Sea Farer Viking

NO !! no war , get you no where, better out wetting a line..... yes i do own one, a 2000 model.
So its true the have been bought ?

[Noelm]

Re: Sea Farer Viking

yes, Haines took them over, I guess they will just continue on as if nothing has changed, and maybe offer both brands through different outlets so as to have a different market appeal and offer differing Motor options and so on.

[nowornever]

Re: Sea Farer Viking

Did you also know the design of the Viking has been purchased by a company in New Zealand for production of Proffessional Fishing Boats.

[Jabba_]

Re: Sea Farer Viking

but when side on to a decent wind, they "smack down" on one side like they are going to fall to bits, and I know a lot of Boats do this, but a Viking is just the best at it, (except for maybe an Alison)

Hey Noel.. Why do boats do this... I have a similar problem when the wind hits me side on.. All tho it is not as bad as you described, but I would like to know if there is a remedy as it is anoying

[kozzy cobia]

Re: Sea Farer Viking

Hi everyone, i have owned the 5.2 and latest 5.5 viking and loved them both. Which one are we talking about?