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Choosing the right sportfish...

Discussion in 'General Sportfish Discussion' started by Greg Page, Jan 12, 2020.

  1. Greg Page

    Greg Page Active Member

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    Given the terrible search operation of the revamped Yacht World site I thought I'd try to take advantage of the forums expertise to identify some boats to consider for an upgrade.

    We currently have a 35 Viking. Love the quality but want to move up in size to a 2 cabin boat. I like the 47 Viking but am worried by the tales of MANN maintenance costs. I'm already looking at the 46 Post as a good candidate. Since we mostly cruise and spend time exploring new ports I would like to see what might be worth investigating in the more cruising end of the spectrum.

    Requirements (in no particular order):
    45-46 ft (largest my dock will hold)
    2 cabins (prefer the cross stacked bunks in second cabin to straight over/under)
    large single level salon with large windows (no express layout, claustrophobic)
    minimum 22 kts cruise (rarely quoted for cruising boats?)
    good seakeeping for Chesapeake Bay and close off shore coastal waters, not going 100 miles out
    aft cockpit
    flybridge (prefer not using interior space for second helm station)
    no U shape dinettes, (wasted space), L shape with removable table on main salon level are fine
    twin diesel (pretty obvious in size class)
    high rigging quality (had Donzi, Formula, Scorpion Racing performance boats so got spoiled)
    nice lines (like Carver Voyager, not chopped up profile of most aft cabin boats)

    and finally asking price in the $100-200k range.

    Thanks - Greg
  2. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Cabo 40' or even the 43' FB, the 40' would be my first choice but very outside of your price range. Don't worry about MAN maintenance, it really isn't that bad. 47' Viking would be a good choice or the 45' Viking SF. I would touch a 46' Post, the ride is scary to say the least in a following sea. 45' Hatteras SF is another albeit older choice.
  3. Greg Page

    Greg Page Active Member

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    I looked at a Cobo express before we got the Viking (no interest in any express layout, had one for a couple months then sold it) , I've never seen a Cabo FB but will look and see. I like the 47 Viking arrangement, all the 45's I've seen have the U dinette which I'm not interested in. I've heard of the following sea issue with Gen I 46 Post but most info says the (post 1988?) Model II boats with the deeper hull are fine. As far as I can tell the Model II 46 and current 47 hull are the same?

    Thanks - Greg
  4. Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

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    Top right click and tell it you're in the United Kingdom or (I believe) Australia. It will switch to the old familiar format.
  5. ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    The Powerboat Guide Broker's addition can be slightly useful, when the keyword search cooperates... and when a given boat is actually listed (several, maybe many, aren't).

    -Chris
  6. Greg Page

    Greg Page Active Member

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    Using the UK option on Yacht World works great. Thanks!
  7. wiredup

    wiredup Member

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    Given your criteria, I would look at the 47 viking, 45 Hatteras, or 46' Ocean Yacht. You can get a lot of boat for the money with Oceans. On any, make sure you get a very thorough survey.
  8. G. Combos

    G. Combos New Member

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    2nd the vote for the Ocean. The late 90’s - early 2000 43’- 45’ provide everything you are looking for. Cockpit ER access, nicely appointed, oversized salons, nice 2 stateroom / 2 head affairs. Probably the most fuel efficient hulls in the range. Lots of inventory, buyers market. Thorough inspection/survey on any boat goes without saying.
  9. Greg Page

    Greg Page Active Member

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    I looked at a 38 Ocean before we got the Viking and was very under-impressed with the quality. Wiring not well bundled and supported, same hose supports. Interior cabinet doors mostly had broken latches. That was a 1988 and probably not well cared for but the rigging quality was enough for me to pass. Did quality improve in later years? I saw somewhere they are now owned by Viking, but don't know when that changed and if quality improved?

    Thanks - Greg
  10. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    What G. Combos said; Oceans are IMO, very well laid out, and function well. Not all Oceans are the same, such as neatness and care at times. Perhaps had to do with the times at the moment and who was working at the time of production...workers come and go, so does money and at times Ocean might have over looked at thing or two Such as the loose wire bundles etc. that you saw. But that probable was the owners created mess. The quality went up and down IMO. Same with Post and Viking.
    Go look at some ''clean'' Oceans you should be able to find a nice 46 or 48 out there at that number. Even going back to the 1980s with clean rebuilt Detroits, which are a bit more cost effective to maintain than MANs. Stay away from any SF with tuna towers, rod holders galore etc...You know they have been run hard. Oceans have not been build since 2014 or so. Viking is not doing anything with them.
  11. Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    I have a 1984 46ft ocean...love it..original power...holding up well...good layout...no rot...you can find some good deals..true it is not a hatty or Viking but you will probably save 70k on the purchase
  12. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Don't forget to check Craigslist; they have some sleepers on there from time to time . you should be able to find something real nice since you are on the bay. Lots of shed kept boats around.
    anyway good luck and have fun!

    Lots of Richard Bertram 46s around also, not a bad boat.
  13. Greg Page

    Greg Page Active Member

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    I haven’t seen a 46 Ocean with the single level salon, they all seem to have the “U” dinette? Is there a configuration with the single level and “L” dinette?

    Thanks
  14. Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    I dont have a dinette in my 46...li lo table
  15. Greg Page

    Greg Page Active Member

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    I guess not in the ones currently for sale or my boat guide. Will keep monitoring market. If you have a handy salon picture I’d like to see the layout.

    thanks.
  16. Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    I M me...my pics are too big to post here