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Considering a used convertible

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Fenderapache, Oct 2, 2022.

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  1. Fenderapache

    Fenderapache New Member

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    Been debating buying a convertible of 42-51 or a cruiser for boating around Miami. Basically will use it in a triangle from Miami to Bahamas and the Keys. Have traditionally been a high performance boat owner. But, family considerations and desire to scuba and fish as well as cruise (while sleeping comfortable onboard) are driving the new options. Considering:
    -Viking
    -Cabo
    -Riviera (I am friends with a former executive there and have been on many, many models in various weather and have been in the engine room multiple times. Please don’t flame this options as I find the quality to be good and ride to be very comfortable).

    I know some of you will simply state: get a Viking. And I’m leaning there. My question is, would you go newer 42 or 45 Viking or older 45/48 for similar amounts? I plan to add a Seakeeper, new electronics, thoroughly overhaul all running and mechanical gear. I may also upgrade soft goods. So, it’s a lot to spend on an older Viking (for awhile I was considering a custom sportfish like Spencer given the costs post close and possible resale).

    Cabo seems to be extremely well built and a good mix of cruising comfort and fishing (we will sleep on the boat instead of a hotel). But, I worry about the lack of support now that they are no longer made. I’m considering both the 43 and the 48. Not the 47 given age.

    Viking is great. But, the initial costs are high even for a high hour boat that’s been fished hard. And, to get price of mind will require a lot of upfront upgrades. Great service center in Riviera, strong dealer and manufacturer support plus a great owners network. Leaning toward Viking (if I can find a good one).

    Riviera seems to a good mixe but the engine rooms are tight and most models (47 G2, 51 flybridge, 45 open) need a few upgrades that make it likely an expensive choice. But, great customer service and a strong and loyal owner network. Won’t fish as well as Viking.

    Other option is an express or cruiser from Tiara, Riviera, Cabo or Viking. Leaning toward convertible despite increased cost and maintenance requirements.

    I welcome thoughts.
  2. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    Are you only interested in a Viking, Cabo or Riviera? Lots of other good boats out there too. How many do you need to sleep aboard and accommodate? Do you need two heads & showers or is one enough? Is galley up or down important to you? Will you anchor over night or always in marinas? You really need to decide what are the must have options and lay-out and look for boats that fit your needs and budget.
  3. Fenderapache

    Fenderapache New Member

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    I prefer 3 stateroom, 2 heads with showers. I prefer galley up but not required. Open fly bridge with EZ2C or similar enclosure and AC. Both anchor and marinas. So, water maker and generator reliability is important.

    Reliability. Safety. Support and ride are the critical considerations. I am not considering other brands at this time after having looked at and ridden in many others. Though, I am not closed minded if I overlooked something.

    thanks.
  4. Fenderapache

    Fenderapache New Member

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    I’m big on reliability especially in rough water. My background with high performance offshore boats taught me the importance of redundancy and robust construction. I’ll be handling the boat myself, often with my son (pre teen who is obsessed with SCUBA diving). Wife will join on calm days. So, I prefer Cat diesels, redundancy where ever possible and a focus on safety.
  5. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    For local cruising a boat at the lower end of your size range is fine but for the Bahamas you need storage and refrigeration which may require something bigger. Also better access for maintenance, especially important over there. I find engine room size and access far more important than other things like interior layout

    Not very familiar with Riviera, only ran one once and briefly. Seemed ok but can’t say I was that impressed. Wondering why you re not looking at Hatteras…. If you want a solid boat with excellent systems they re hard to beat. Don’t know if riviera uses alum fuel tank but that alone would make me lean towards Hatteras and their bulletproof fiberglass tanks.

    But obviously it depends at what year range you are looking at
  6. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    Have you found any boats in the 42'-48' range that meet your criteria? I'm not as familiar with all the models out there as others on this site but I think you will need to get in the 50+ range. 3 staterooms and 2 heads will be challenging in less than 50'. Ironically, 3 staterooms/2 heads/2 showers and galley up and you described my 54' :):)
    Then as Pascal said, you'll need room for all the stuff you want for Bahamas trips.
  7. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    And for diving a dive compressor, racks for tanks… going to be challenging on a 40 footer.

    also in the Bahamas a good dinghy is critical, especially if diving unless you tow a CC. Storing a decent dinghy on a sub 50 is challenging.
  8. Fenderapache

    Fenderapache New Member

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    I am very, very familiar with Hatt. Can share view offline. I would not feel confident buying a used one.

    The specific models I chose all have room for (or came spec’d with) water makers, generators, at least 3 refrigerator drawers and 3 freezer drawers plus options for bait freezers and insulated fish boxes with ice capability. Each has the stateroom and head layout along with the room in the engine compartment for accessing engines and performing maintenance. Also, each has the redundant systems and room to install a Seakeeper (I spoke to Seakeeper and received videos and performance test results on the installs of each of the models I’ve looked at). As for size, bigger is better. But, draft, fuel economy, ease of handling solo is why I’m looking in the 40s and not 50+. But, I take the feedback and will look to see if I’ve overlooked another option.

    I had considered larger for dive compressor, tanks, etc. but think my choices will work. But, I’ll go look again.

    Pascal - where are you in Miami?
  9. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Yes. I’m in Miami

    again Sportfishes aren’t my thing but I have never heard anyone saying they wouldn’t be confident buying a used one. Yes it seems the company has pretty much moved on to small boats since it was purchased but there is still excellent support. In the last 10/15 viking quality as caught up up before then it wasn’t even close.
  10. motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    I was contemplating a 2010 or newer 60 Hatt MY and in my research I discovered they have aluminum fuel tanks. First I thought it was a typo or erroneous info from the broker. Don’t know if that applies to the sport fishers of recent vintage. Is that a big deal? I don’t know. Grand Banks (which I associate with high quality) uses aluminum fuel tanks.
  11. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    They use alum fuel tanks now?? Very surprised that they switched after 60 years.

    properly installed they re fine but there is no doubt fiberglass is a much better material. My tanks just turned 52 :)
    rtrafford, Capt Ralph and HCharles like this.
  12. wac45

    wac45 New Member

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    Pretty sure the 60 MY (2009 forward) was the only model that Hatteras used aluminum for their fuel tank.
  13. HCharles

    HCharles New Member

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    I just bought a 48' Ocean Yachts SS. (in the profile photo) Everything I have found in the literature suggests that they match up well, head to head with Viking. It was Viking that bought the Ocean Yachts manufacturing facility. I used to own a 36' Viking years ago and for a wooden boat it was nice but had gasoline engines. I'm very happy with the new boat and it didn't cost a fortune. If you're planning on diving, fishing etc. I think a convertible/sportfisher is the way to go. Easy exit and entrance to the boat for a diver/swimmer and nice deck to entertain on. The Ocean Yachts 48 is supposed to do 30 knots ... we'll see! The 48' came in a 2 or a 3 stateroom 2 head model. Mine is 3 staterooms/2 heads down and salon and galley up. It has 3 refrigerators, freezer, washer, dryer, fish cleaning station etc.
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2022
  14. C team

    C team Senior Member

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    I've been watching that boat for a few years now. Good luck with the project!
  15. Fenderapache

    Fenderapache New Member

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    Thanks. I’m really focused on Viking. But, I’m not seeing anything particularly interesting at the moment and I’m prepared to be patient. I may need to buy a late model or new one. I’ve also looked at some used custom sportfish but most have been run hard and need new systems and major upgrades.
  16. SplashFl

    SplashFl Active Member

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    S. Florida _ Bertram 46
    Do not mistake the Bertram 46.6 with the newer 46, of which only about a dozen ever built and after nearly two years on the hunt found and bought one a few months back. I mention this only because one with galley up, 3 staterooms, two full-size bathrooms with showers, had showed up in Spain on one of the more popular online brokerage sites.
  17. Fenderapache

    Fenderapache New Member

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    I have not been looking at the Bertram.
  18. SplashFl

    SplashFl Active Member

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    Well like one broker/captain of one I had missed, said, "one of the few that have withstood the test of time, he would put up against any new ones."
    1.jpg
  19. Fenderapache

    Fenderapache New Member

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    What year is that? What years were the dozen 46s you mentioned made? I like the 2012/2013 Bertram 540 but I’m still quite focused on Viking.

    Where in South Florida?
  20. SplashFl

    SplashFl Active Member

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    I read only built for a few years up to 1997 but I only ever found a 1994 and my 1995-96 for sale in the US, and one in France & one in Spain and a couple from old listings that despite getting Coast Guard Abstracts to trace ownership, was unable to locate them. One was last in Dominican Republic I gave up on. The one is Spain is the only galley up 3 stateroom model I ever found but I had no interest in galley up. As I was looking at going to see the one in France after "missing the boat" on one in Ma. and took a pass on one in the keys after two visits (both sold) a previously spoken to broker called about one he knew of in the Miami area that was not listed and next day I had her under contract. Rare model with many improvements from the 46.6, that took a LOT of patience to finally land. Looked at the others but wanted ONLY deep V and mid-ship master stateroom (both reasons for elimination of Viking) and after 42 years ownership of an older 38 Bert knew they built "tanks." I'm just south of Boca.
    PS Been now and then in communication with the guys that bought two I missed and both claim they love the boats and had 0 interest in selling.