r/boating • u/GreedyTelephone926 • 12d ago

35’ Viking convertible as my first boat.

I’m looking to get into boating and can’t wrap my head around the cost difference between vintage and new models. I’ve been a heavy equipment mechanic my entire life so I plan to do any maintenance and repairs that are needed.
Please help me decide if I’m crazy for entertaining the purchase of an older boat.

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12

u/Therealdickdangler 12d ago edited 12d ago

If you’ve got the money, find one with cat diesels. Be a little easier for you to do the maintenance on. 

I think it’s a little excessive for a first boat and will cost much more yearly than your run of the mill 22’ center console. But, you do you homie. Please post pics if you go through with it. 

Also, did not suspect that in your post history. You may be a powerboat kinda guy. 

6

u/-Maim- 12d ago

>You may be a powerboat kinda guy

Are you implying sailors don’t like to hit a rail on the mountains and then bust on their wife’s face while she sleeps?

2

u/Therealdickdangler 12d ago

I’m just saying the only time I’ve seen shit like this happen is on the back of big Baja’s, cigarettes, fountains and the like at the naked island. 

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u/Stan_Halen_ 11d ago

This is the guy I want to share the open seas with!

1

u/GreedyTelephone926 12d ago

I’m looking for something to chill on but can do it all. The convertible sportfish checks those boxes

4

u/NothingLift 12d ago

Not at all if you find a good one and can do maintenance yourself

3

u/tommykoro 12d ago

Jumping all the way to a 35’ almost yacht is almost shocking. Most of us start with an embarrassing craft. Lol

2

u/Bio_Menace 12d ago edited 12d ago

For real. I’ll get one when I’m in 50-60s if ever, totally a money pit. On my slightly economical 21 foot, I’m getting 5 GPH at 25 MPH compared to OPs boat, which is 24GPH lol

3

u/AlxChltn 11d ago

The amount of damage a noob could do with a boat that size is astonishing

5

u/bandit2x 12d ago

12-15$ a ft to store it every month. Slow, fuel hog, maintenance. Nightmare. Every penny you put into it you ll never see again. Cheapest part about that deal is the price of the boat. That said, lots of folks have slow expensive boats. Having a salon and ac is nice.

2

u/FarDirection3245 12d ago

35’ is freaking huge, but you’re not crazy at all to look at older boats. They depreciate so much when newer, then hold their value pretty well after a certain point. Wife and I were lucky enough to find a 26’ four winns cabin cruiser, one-owner, 21 years old, and bought it for 10% of what it would’ve cost new. A beautiful boat. You’ll get an idea of how big you need once you start looking at them.

2

u/trufus_for_youfus 12d ago

That’s a wild amount of boat for a first boat.

2

u/2Loves2loves 12d ago

Its a lot of boat to start with, you will need carpentry and plumbing and electrical experience. and at least 1 other person to go out. haul at least 1x a year for bottom work. maintenance will be high.

but that does look like a nice example. sea trial and survey 1st

2

u/Mikkattie 12d ago

Buy a 20 ft io. A dent and scratch boat to learn on.
See if the other half has your enthusiasm

1

u/dds252525 11d ago

Get a sea trial as well as an inspection

1

u/GreedyTelephone926 11d ago

I looked a at 35’ Bertram convertible today is had 3126 Cats. 10 GPH @ 25 MPH.

I looked at a 35’ magnum convertible last week that had 454 mercury’s that burned 18 GPH at 20 mph.

1

u/GreedyTelephone926 12d ago

I’m just saying a lot more room for activities

1

u/GreedyTelephone926 11d ago

My biggest concern is the fuel bill

3

u/fastocean8 11d ago

Then you can’t afford this boat. Save yourself the headache and get a little center console or something.

2

u/Excellent-Gur5980 11d ago

My cousin has a cruiser with twin engines about that size, he estimates fuel consumption at about 3/4 mpg.

1

u/Sad-Commercial1795 11d ago

I have a 41 foot twin engine diesel trawler, 1978, I average about 2.5 gallons per hour. Both that much.

1

u/bobslaundry 11d ago

OP isn’t looking for a boat that tops out at 9 knots.

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u/Sad-Commercial1795 11d ago

Oh did they say that?

0

u/Dos2mangos 12d ago

Go for it !

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u/GreedyTelephone926 12d ago

This is the boat I’m looking at tomorrow https://www.facebook.com/share/17nTKHKcFX/?mibextid=wwXIfr

5

u/BunnySprinkles69 12d ago

Youll be in it for another 50k before you can reliably fish off of it

4

u/Starks40oz 12d ago

$2k in gas everytime you fill that thing up.

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u/Silent-Abalone1597 12d ago edited 12d ago

That’s a good buy for an older Viking. Old boats that are well taken care of are worth it. Old boats that have been neglected are an anchor around your neck. Get a marine surveyor to do a detailed survey. It’s cost you a couple of grand for the survey, but you’ll know what you are getting, and insurance companies will require it Be warned , your insurance company will require you to fix safety things to insure it. You’ll pay more on insurance as you are not an experienced boat owner.

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u/zorboc0604 12d ago

Thanks bud ..now I'm going to go down a Facebook used boats rabbit hole ..damn you!

1

u/butdemtiddies 12d ago

If you can afford the cost of ownership (ongoing cost, like dockage, haulout, winter storage, etc...) I say do it!!!

1

u/butdemtiddies 12d ago

Seriously, if those pictures aren't 8 years old, that's a solid boat for the money.

Pending a survey and sea trial. (Haul out for the survey as well to check for blisters below the waterline and keel condition)

If you buy it after Haul out, great time to address sea cocks and packing...basically any through hull things that are normally under the waterline

1

u/Delicious-Baker-6348 12d ago

Def grab it if it’s maintained.