[AMGinfl]

I'm considering upgrading to a Viking, Bertram or Post Sportfish. Based on our budget, we're considering 43 to 47 Vikings, 46 Bertram or 46 to 50 Posts in the 1995 to 1998 year range.

Most of the boats have MANS but some Vikings and Bertrams have the Detroit engines.

I realize that the Post have a shallower deadrise than the Vikings and Bertrams. I'm wondering how much of difference does this make in the ride. We currently own a Tiara.

Anyone have any opinions on the engines, fit and finish and ride comfort will be very helpfull.

Thanks.

ps.. What a great site!

[CaptTom]

AMG,
Let me give you my take. And by the way, I am partial to Vikings, which I feel are excellent vessels, but also notable by their lines and looks.

These three brands are all very fine sportfish builders. Onthe surface, they are clean, fishable and confortable as cruisers with family/friends. So you need to go below the surface and do some detailed investigation. With th eengines, check for usage, hours, signs of problems (i.e. leaks, hotspots, rust, etc) but also look at service inervals. Vessles from 1995 may have well over 1000 hours depending on usage. MAN's standards require a major service at 1000 hours, nit sure of the Detriots. But Detroits historically run a bit dirtier, making for messy engine rooms (do you have Detroits on that Tiara?). Look at access to pumps, bilges, AC units, wire runs, etc. Since you are going with a vesel that is 10+ years old, some systems may need attention as they age. What are you using the boat for, fishing, cruising or both? Plan on living on it? Do the different capacities (i.e water, holding tank, fuel) make a difference?
Posts typically have less draft, which you may want of doing coastal cruising. But I have seen Vikings and Bertrams wallow a bit in big seas, so I think it really depends on the oceans you will be cruising.
If you plan on doing your own engine maintenance, then access to and around engines and generators is paramount. Most of the vessels mentioned should have cockpit access, which I feel is best (not tracking dirt through the salon).
May not have answered the question directly, but at least a few thoughts.
Good luck.

[AMGinfl]

Capt. Thanks. I'm partial to the Vikings as well. I plan to use for Fishing and crusing with the family to the keys, Miami or the Bahamas islands.

I have Cat 3196's on my Tiara now and they're pretty clean. I plan on having a pro maintaining the engines (at least for a while). The tank capacities seem to be in-line with my Tiara now.

For South Florida waters, do you feel the Viking, Bertram Deep V hulls will be better or the Post with less draft?

My impression is that the Vikings are the best value and hold up best. But I see a lot more Vikings out on the market vs. the Posts or Bertrams. Is that because more Vikings were made?

Thanks.

[YachtForum]

AMGinFL,

If you search the sportfish forums, you should find a few threads with some wisdom. Specifically, look for posts by Loren Schweizer. He's been onboard, fished or sold just about everything with a tower. Also, look for posts by CTDave. He's is a previous 46' Post owner and currently has a 50' Bertram. Oh, and YF member "Viking 58" will certainly be able to give you some ownership insight.

Guys... where are you???

[Loren Schweizer]

Hey, Carl, thanks for the kind words!

To AMGinfl: CaptTom offers a lot for you to chew on in this thread. Heed his advice!

My own advice to you is to find a good broker and just go look at some of these boats before you do too much of a "paper search". You might find, say, an engine room that is untolerably tight for you on a particular boat... galleys with something that doesn't exactly excite your wife ( I'd advise that you inspect these boats together)...hanging lockers that are too small, and so on.

Ask your broker person to point out all the warts; the Tiara you're moving up from has excellent fit & finish while the boats you are considering generally have a higher degree of engineering.

Along the way, you will find yourself/yourselves falling in love with a particular make/model because it managed to hit a "hot button" or two, or perhaps for a purely emotional reason.

"Viking - Bertram - Post"---- no Hatteras', eh?

While you didn't mention wanting to go to Bimini on a snotty day, or if you desire to hang out all morning with a kite up waiting for a sail off Carysfort, or if you just want this type of boat for " the look", yes, they do handle differently from each other, so they're driven differenly, e.g., you'd add more tabs on the Post going into a headsea and let that deeper forefoot work for you; they added more deadrise in the mid-nineties compared to the Dick Tracy- chin transom of the earlier boats.
Bertram made their reputation on their ability to go fast in a seaway and Viking eventually arrived there as well. The differences are subtle. Now, add a hardtop or tower and the equation just changed.

Engines: every manufacturer has a boo-boo ( some have BOO-BOOS) in their collective pasts. They fixed 'em. Your job is to get good advice on the engine service life, who did the rebuilds, and is there documentation for all that.
The rest is all Ford-Chevy talk.

Keep in mind that boats are built by people, some on Wednesdays, some on Fridays, and that they are built with Stuff. Stuff Breaks. Stuff gets Fixed.

Your marine surveyor (and engine surveyor)-- and don't cheap out here, get a highly regarded one--will be able to tell you if you're looking at a dog or a gem and whether or not this fine vessel was run hard and put away wet.

The boat-choosing process is usually entertaining and you will learn a heckuva lot as you proceed.

[AMGinfl]

Carl and Loren,

Thank you both for your insight!

Loren, I would love a Hatteras, but could not find anything that looked appealing in the 43 to 48 foot range within our budget. Interestingly, I've found a few 50's built between 1997 and 1999. They mostly have the smaller 890 Gallon Fuel tanks (plenty for us). I'm shying away because frankly, a 50 foot sport seems a bit too much to run with another person. We're still relatively new to boating.

I think your suggestion to actually go and look at some of these boats with my better half will narrow down the search very quickly. Will keep you guys posted.

[CaptTom]

Originally Posted by AMGinfl

I'm shying away because frankly, a 50 foot sport seems a bit too much to run with another person. We're still relatively new to boating.

AMG,
If you find a sweet deal on a 50 Hatt, and you really like it, you may want to take it. Your concern about handling will quickly dissipate once you get used to the boat. It sounds like you'll do most of your cruising with at least one other person which is good. A little planning when either leaving or approaching a dock will save a lot of grief, and with two people, you stay at the helm and the other person can get on just two lines to make the boat stay where it is. And a 50 is usually heavy and will sit for a few more seconds than perhaps your Tiara did, giving you more time to secure lines. If it has a bow thruster, all the better. Then you can put that vessel anywhere you want to. I used to run a 61 footer (Sunseeker), and take it out and dock again all alone. It's all in your planning. If you want some help when you get your new boat, drop a line.
Good luck.
Capt Tom

[boblucas]

There's no doubt in my mind that Viking is the best all around choice of the three. Fit and finish, engine room layout, accommodations and resale value.
Some of the Bertrams had issues in the mid 90's, especially in that 46' size. Post, though of decent quality, has always had a down sea issue because of her flat bottom aft.
Though the Viking may be a little wet and hard in a head sea, she's still a good performer and rides fairly well if you pull those throttles back