4 Most-Common Problems With Viking Boats (Explained)

Viking Boats has been a leader in cruising motor yachts and luxury sport fishing boats.

The Viking company has been in existence since the early 60s. They have built a solid reputation as a reliable motor-yacht brand.

We already looked at how reliable Viking boats are, and now we’ll turn to the most seen issues with these fine boats. 

They use quality materials and continually update their innovative techniques for boat construction.

Viking Yachts have managed to keep the company afloat during difficult times to become one of the world’s leaders in semi-custom fiberglass boat production.

If you are shopping for a Viking Boat, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will share the most common concerns faced by boat owners.

We have searched through all the Viking information to find the issues you might face with a Viking Yacht.

1) Water Intrusion

While there are not many problems Viking boat owners have with their boats, looking through the forums, there are some problems that owners do have.

One of these problems is hairline cracks in different areas of the boat. Some of the areas you may find them are on the open bow, hatches, and on the hull.

Typically, these cracks are just cosmetic and do not allow water intrusion or moisture. If these cracks allow in moisture, there could be rot. It would be best if you verified that no moisture is getting in by doing a moisture test.

Most often these cracks do not look good on the boat and you will want to fix the problem with the cracks. You can fix most of these cracks yourself.

2) Engine Bed System

Viking boats use a unique engine bed system that can have problems where they attach to the hull. Therefore, you want to inspect these points of attachment carefully.

You want to pay attention to the stringers. If the holes are not lined up correctly, you may not want to purchase that Viking. In many cases, this type of stringer problem is because someone drilled holes where they do not belong.

When the holes are drilled in the wrong place, it is expensive and could be beyond repair.

3) Older Model Boats

Viking has been through many changes over the decades. They also had some rough moments when they had to slim down their crew of employees.

However, they managed to make it through the tough times to create a solid reputation for constantly improving their boats.

If you have an older boat or are interested in purchasing an older boat, there are some issues you should look out for when looking at the boat.

The older versions of Vikings have wood stringers which have a tendency to rot. In addition, these older models may have engine mounts that are loose. Unfortunately, these problems are not universal for every Viking model.

Some of these problems could be as a result of someone building the boat incorrectly. If you want to purchase a used Viking, you should have a qualified marine surveyor assess the boat.

4) Old Viking Boat Parts

Viking boats are still going strong, and they are making durable and reliable boats.

Unfortunately, this also means that the parts for Viking boats are still being made.

Viking Yachts has created a large network where their customers can look for older or spare parts. They also have a customer service team is full of experts that have been trained on all the different models and systems.

Even when a customer is looking for a replacement part, that is hard to find. The customer service team can help customers find any part for all their boating needs.

General Pros and Cons for the Viking Yacht

Pros

Viking Yachts have a reputation no other boat builders can claim. Hardly any other boat manufacturer can make this assertion.

Viking uses their own production facilities to manufacture all parts for their boats, with the exception of engines, electronics, transmission systems, and air conditioning units.

Viking Yachts pay attention to all details when building their boats. No matter if it is the wiring harness, fiberglass fuel tank, or a hull-to-deck through-bolted joint.

Viking Yachts use a vacuum suction process on their boats. This process is in combination with the resin infusion of the fiberglass sheets.

This process sucks the air from the molding and pulls the resins in to replace this space. In addition, this process pulls composite material evenly in all sections of the molds.

Cons

• Some models have cracks that may allow water to get in.
• Older models may have stringers in the wrong place due to poor building.
• Some older models may contain rot where water has come in.

What Do the Reviews Say?

While there is some mention of water intrusion, it is not a wide spread problem.

Even if you find a boat with some amount of water intrusion, it may not be enough to prevent you from purchasing the boat.

“You could survey the areas for water intrusion with tapping and or moisture testing. Having said all that, they are rarely a deal breaker but should be taken into account. I don’t like them unattended, but bazillions of boats float around quite happily with them.”

[Source: yachtforums.com]

Viking boats have continued to build better, more innovative, and more durable boats. Each new boat model is an improvement on the one that came before.

“Owner and dealer feedback ­contribute the input necessary to ­accumulate all the knowledge that adds up, checking every box for the boat’s purpose.”

[Source: marlinmag.com]

 

What is the Resale Value on the Viking Yachts?

For those that can afford a Viking Yacht, they find that they hold their value well.

There are not many brands in the industry that have had the success the Viking has. They have a high owner satisfaction. Many owners have bought more than one Viking.

These boats sell well and for a high price on the pre-owned market. They sell quickly, and the resale price is often close to the original price.

Viking yacht sales are up over 50%, especially specific models. Viking 52, 54, and 56 models that were built between 2002 to 2008 are so popular that they are selling before they make it to the market.

Viking yachts that were built between 2000 to 2015 are also selling really well. So again, this is a strong market for used Vikings.

Not only do they have a high resale value, but Viking lasts a long time. Their fiberglass hull can last as long as 50 years, as long as you have taken great care of the boat.

Final Thoughts

Not only does Viking have a solid and proven reputation, but their designs are also technologically advanced while providing exact handling and stability.

The Viking company is still owned by the brothers that originally founded the company. They continue to have a family run business. Their factory is in New Jersey and employs over 1,300 employees.

They work to build a better boat every day, and with every model they build. Today, they offer 36 different yachts. They build 90% of their own boats but also have partnered with two companies to ensure the highest quality parts.

Palm Beach Towers provides aluminum tuna towers which Viking Yachts use because of their quality design and engineering.

Palm Beach Towers builds custom accessories from fiberglass and aluminum. These parts include rod lockers, fiberglass hardtops, and electronic boxes. When you customize your Viking Yacht, you can add any of these accessories.

Atlantic Marine Electronics is the other partner for Viking Yacht. They manufacture accessories such as entertainment, navigation, and communication systems.

These items can also be added to your yacht when you are ordering and customizing your next boat. For example, you may want to add an entertainment system, a multiple stations layout, and a single helm station package.

Sources:

thehulltruth.com,

yachtforums.com,

marlinmag.com