Hello everyone, Next week, I need to decide whether to purchase a *Viking 50* or a *Bertram 50*, both from the 90s, and I would appreciate your expert advice. The Viking is powered by *MAN 1050 engines* with *3000 hours*, but the owner completely rebuilt the engines in 2010, meaning they are practically like new. The Bertram, on the other hand, has *820 engines* with *1500 hours*. I've been told that the Viking is more *sleek* and therefore more *prone to rolling* when at anchor, whereas the Bertram is considered more stable. I would like to hear your thoughts on this difference, and if you think it's an important consideration when choosing between the two. Additionally, I would appreciate your opinion on the *key differences* between the two models in terms of performance, handling, and comfort. Which of the two do you think is more reliable and durable in the long run, especially considering the engine hours? Thank you in advance for your help and advice, and I’m happy to provide more details if needed! Br
I've got a pair of the 820 hp. MAN's in my 1996, 46 Bertram. No issues and never heard any negative on them. Regarding any rolling. The only boats that don't are those on the bottom.
I see you're based in Italy - and maybe you're also Italian, I guess from your user name? Not a criticism, mind. I'm Italian myself, in fact! Which is the reason why I'm surprised to hear you're focusing your choice on these two boats. I mean, are you a hardcore fisherman? Because if not, around here you can find countless other flybridge (non-fisherman) boats in this size bracket, that are much better suited for Mediterranean cruising style, IMHO. Anyway, if fishermans are your thing, I'm not even trying to comment on Viking vs. Bertram, because here in this asylum you can surely get good suggestions on that from people much more familiar with them than myself. In fact, my only practical experience have been a few day trips in FL, with someone else taking care of the fishing part - which I'm not keen on. And while I can't fault those boats in terms of seakeeping, in terms of layout, accessibility, convenience, etc., for any given size I would rather have a "European" flybridge any day of the week, and twice on sundays. And this in spite of the fact that for any length, fishermans are much beamier - which is one of the reasons why a 50' fisherman needs 30 to 40% more ponies (and burns more fuel accordingly) compared to a 50' flybridge from Ferretti, Princess, Azimut, Fairline... You name it. Ref. the engines, those two models are almost identical, and based on the same V10 block. In fact, MAN used to sell both in parallel for a few years, till they upped the output of the V8 mechanical block from 680 to 800hp (which is what I've got on my boat), hence making the V10 820hp pointless. Among those V10s, my personal preference is for the 820, which is 100% mechanical, also because the 1050 used a sort of transition technology for the injection system, that MAN called "EDC" and only adopted for a few years on a couple of models (this V10, and a 1300hp V12), before eventually converting their whole range to fully electronic common rail. Not that there was anything really wrong with that, it was just the technology of those days. But a few folks very knowledgeable on MANs, including the chief engineer of the Italian importer, suggested me that the best MANs are either the old mechanical ones, or the common rail, possibly with the partial exception of the V8/900, which was a bit of a testbed for the widespread CR adoption that followed.
Thanks, that's useful. Of course, V-engines in a relatively skinny boat can impact engine room access. Our 16' beam isn't quite enough... another foot would be a big improvement. -Chris
This is exactly the opposite of everything I know about the typical Viking vs Bertram approach to hull design. Bertrams typically carried their “deep v” all the way aft to the transom. This made them crush head seas and run confidently in following seas but very tender in a quartering or beam sea. That said the b50 is somewhat moderate with 17 degrees at the transom so I don’t think it would be as rolly as some of the other models. I can’t find the deadrise spec for the Viking but my guess is it would have been around 13-15 degrees, which would generally be considered a “moderate” amount to achieve a compromise between the factors above. Older oceans and posts are the other extreme, sometimes with only a few degrees of deadrise aft. Rock solid on the drift but have to slow down a little in a steep head sea and can be scary in a following sea. Both the B50 and Viking 50 are stout boats built to run in conditions that most people have no desire to be in. I’d be mostly focused on layout, condition, etc to make your choice. The other factor is Viking is the only sportfish builder to still be in business with the original ownership. Bertram has changed hands several times and is not remotely the same company today as the company that built the boats a decade or more ago. So parts availability and support for the Viking is no comparison.
