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Upgrading from Cruisers 455 to either Viking Sport Cruiser or Sunseeker

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by mmichael, Nov 25, 2013.

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  1. mmichael, Nov 25, 2013
    #1
    mmichael

    mmichael New Member

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    Seattle, WA
    Hello All!

    I'd love to get your opinions on the Viking Sport Cruiser 67/68/70s vs a Sunseeker 64 in terms of quality and seakeeping performance.

    Princess vs. VSC?
    Does anyone know what the exact differences are between the European Princess Yachts vs the American version - Viking Sport Cruiser? I'd love to understand the justification of higher cost besides shipping and profit margins for additional parties. The only things I can really find are the electrical system differences and they're built to ABYC and US Coast Guard standards while the Europeans versions are not.

    Thank you for your insight!
  2. Capt J, Nov 25, 2013
    #2
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The engine room is very tight on the VSC's not on the Sunseeker. I'd say the electrical is better on the Sunseeker. Ride quality is good on both and about the same. The Sunseeker is more volumous for it's length. Parts are a little easier to come by on the VSC when it comes to certain things as Viking stocks most of them. Gelcoat is better on the VSC, the Sunseekers is very shiny and maintains it's shine well, but they have a tendancy to develop stress cracks......Both can be good boats for your needs. Both have some European idiocyncracies such as getting parts.....and thin teak decks.....
  3. Liam, Nov 26, 2013
    #3
    Liam

    Liam Senior Member

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    Hello Michael,
    another interesting debate will be how long will the Viking dealership with Princess stand?
    Viking is launching its new very European inspired series with the 75 Motor Yacht in 2014, and that is full on competition versus the Princess brand.
    I think it will all depend on the success of this model and if more will come after it.
  4. NYCAP123, Nov 26, 2013
    #4
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Those are no small differences. Having that Viking support in NJ is a big plus for the VSC also. My experience is not in the sizes you mentioned, but I have a lot of experience in the 50VSC, and several Sunseekers. Both very good boats. I found the VSC to be far superior in sea keeping though. Both ok with a following or beam sea, but a 7' head sea had the 60 Pred heading for shore and a 4' head sent a 46' in. They tend to slam in a head sea. I've had the 50 VSC out in 8' to 10' with no problem. The Sunseekers do have larger engine rooms, but both have ample space.
  5. mmichael, Nov 26, 2013
    #5
    mmichael

    mmichael New Member

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    Thank you for everyone's insight. While the engine room on the VSC are small, the larger sizes they're tolerable IMO (67/68/70)s.

    That is impressive you're able to take a VSC 50' out in an 8-10' head sea. My current boat, Cruisers 455 would barf on that.

    Are the VSC built better or use better quality parts than their European counterparts of the day? I'm trying to understand what influence Viking had on making the European Princess versions better boats.
  6. NYCAP123, Nov 26, 2013
    #6
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Same boats, but sometime different fabrics and such. Also differences like galvonic isolators and and a few other touches. Now I'm not sure where things lie now that they're importing under the Princess name. I directed my boss to his 50 mainly because of the Viking name on her side and all that brings (A million dollar inventory in NJ and expertise a local phone call away).

    8 to 10 is no exageration. The only time I ever felt fear on that boat was when I took a 10 foot breaking wave under my quarter crossing a bar. That got my attention, but we were fine.