Atlanta Viking 8.5

[gizzy]

Hello everyone.
I'm new to the forum and I would like to ask if anyone has any knowledge or information on the Atlanta 28', also known as the Viking, I think.
I'd be grateful for any information recieved.
Many thanks...............

 

[Chrissie]

Bump, this one slid off the page before it went live, someone out there must have sailed one?

 

[Cap'n Creosote]

This site has some good pictures & a PDF of the original Sales Brochure.

http://www.bhasoftware.com/atlanta/

And there is some information on the Macwester site.

http://www.macwester.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=117

I have one too. But I wouldn't call myself an expert on them

John

 

[Chrissie]

Hello Capn, what is the Atlanta like to sail, how stable is she, whats manouvering like, what sort of speeds do you get, any disadvantages? are the Bukr engines as supplied man enough for the job, lots of questions, I hope you dont mind.

 

[Cap'n Creosote]

Hi Chrissie,
I'm not sure that I am sufficiently qualified to answer all of those questions, as I've not sailed many different types of boats.

She's steady and reassuring. A bilge keel and skeg configuration isn't likley to win many races. A friend of mine described her as "a Landrover of the seas" ie. enough grunt to push her way through, elbow the waves aside, and push on regardless. I think what he meant was she's less tippy than his boat.


My boat has been re-engined with a 20HP Yanmar. It seems more than adequate. Manoeuvring under power is just what you would expect when going forward. In reverse though, the skeg makes her handle a little like a long straight keel would. She just goes straight back until she's picked up a bit of speed, then she starts to respond ok.

I noticed the Atlanta TIKI on the link I posted above is the 26ft version. Mine is the 28ft. the 28ft has the rudder post in the middle of the cockpit, you have to stand in the companion way to steer! I do find that a nuisance.

John

 

[Chrissie]

thank you, certainly some good info there. Looked at a boat for a friend, but I have no experience of sailing one.

 

[gizzy]

Hi guys,

That's really useful information, and quite frankly sounds just like the sort of boat that would be good for me. I'm not planning on breaking any speed records, but just want to take life gently on the water. Also, planning to liveaboard, so her beamy disposition would suit too.

Many thanks, Jim, if you think of anything else, I'd be glad to hear it. Chrissie, you, of course, are a darling.............................

 

[gizzy]

My sincerely, apologies John, I called you 'Jim'................

 

[Searush]

Just for the record I chartered her little sister once (the 24?) and it was a pig.

Poor windward ablity (and I normally sail twin keels) grossly underpowered by a Mini Petter 6hp and with a 2 blade folding prop that eliminated any ability to drive into wind/ sea or to reverse. In addition, when I did get her going on a reach (5 kts in F5-6 full rig), she squatted enough that water came into the cockpit thro the drains. My 4 year old son's face was a picture, he was convinced we were sinking! Oh, and it had a permanent & obvious list to port.

The accomodation was quite good tho, once we went back to the charter base to collect the bits for making up the main saloon bunk that he didn't think we wanted! Strangely enough that charterer went out of business within 2 years.

But I repeat, I have not sailed the 28, it could even be a different designer.

 

[gizzy]

Thanks Searush,

I think the Atlanta 28 was designed by the same guy who designed MacWesters. You may have something interesting to say about that.? I do understand that the 28 will never set the world alight in terms of speed, but then, to be honest, I'm a slow gentle soul, so the boat and I might be found wallowing around the Solent, even if I have to add a couple of weeks, to holidays, to get to where I'm going. I could always get the train back.!!
Thanks for your comments. I look forward to hearing more, if you have some.

 

[Searush]

Thanks Searush,

I think the Atlanta 28 was designed by the same guy who designed MacWesters. You may have something interesting to say about that.? I do understand that the 28 will never set the world alight in terms of speed, but then, to be honest, I'm a slow gentle soul, so the boat and I might be found wallowing around the Solent, even if I have to add a couple of weeks, to holidays, to get to where I'm going. I could always get the train back.!!
Thanks for your comments. I look forward to hearing more, if you have some.

I have sailed with (& on) Macwesters too. Most are pretty good, but the early 26 had bad weather helm & is often seen sporting a snazzy little bowsprit add-on to reduce it. The little Rowan Crown is 10x the boat that Atalanta 24 was. I always rather fancied the Whight, but ended up with a Pentland that happened to be available & I wouldn't swop now.

Make sure you have a decent engine (I have replaced my ancient MD2b 24hp with a 3ym30 and the difference is wonderful! It's not about the extra power so much as the extra reliability, quietness & smoothness. Whatever you find, enjoy it.

 

[maxi]

Atalanta's grew from what were the old Macwester moulds but usually with added length and draft.

Their main attributes were strength, comfortable sea-keeping and (for their day) large volume accommodation. They are reliable sailors rather than fast sailors but nothing wrong with that.

Many Macwesters suffered from weather helm in fresh weather, which resulted from hull form rather than poor balance, but the application of a little grey matter usually provided a means of dealing with it satisfactorily.

PBO's then editor, who knew a thing or two, bought a 28' (bright yellow if I recall!) and would then not be parted from her as she proved to be a very satisfactory cruising boat.

 

[JohnP]

Atlanta

I do not remember the Atlanta 24. I built a 25 which was really a Hurley24/70. Sailed very well and had standing headroom and separate heads on 24 feet.
The 800 was 26 feet and was a Colvic design. I nearly bought this hull but was put off by the amount of work i.e. a totally empty hull and deck.. The 24/70 had an inner moulding for the sole and berths. I believe the 8.5 was a Macwester design. If so it was slow and steady.

 

[gizzy]

Thanks guys for the above information. It's good to know that so much help and advice is available. It adds to my belief that buying a boat to sail and liveaboard, my dream for many years, is the right thing for me to do.