Atlanta viking 8.5

[bonzo]

Hello,

Currently looking for a boat. Have seen an Atlanta Viking 8.5 for sale. Any views/experience welcome. Googling and looking at this forum I've found:

http://www.bhasoftware.com/atlanta/Atlanta Brochure.pdf

and on here this thread:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=273577&highlight=atlanta+viking

Any other views/comments?

Regards,
Paul

 

[Cap'n Creosote]

Hello bonzo,

I have an Atlanta Viking 8.5

I suspect the reason there haven't been any other replies yet is because no one is quite sure what it is you want to know.

If you can be a bit more specific, I'll try and help.

John

 

[bonzo]

Atlanta 28

Hello John,

Apologies. Just want an opinion of their sailing abilities. I think the Atlanta 28 uses the same hull as (or one derived from) the Macwester 28. I'd guess, therefore, they aren't a particularly quick boat but do have a reasonably comfortable motion - being a bit on the heavy side. Also assuming they are pretty tough boats. What are they like to windward? Are these reasonable assumptions?

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

Same as Macwester 28; good solid boats; very roomy; bilge keel, hence, does not go close to the wind. Look at the Macwester Association, they cover Atlantas too.

 

[Cap'n Creosote]

As I said in the other thread, I don't think I'm the best person to judge how well they sail.

I suspect that of all the heavy, fat, bilge keelers that were built in the 60s & 70s, the Atlanta Viking is probably better than average. With her deep keels and fine run aft, she goes quite well. I've not had any reason to complain.

The designer seems to have considered it important to have over 6ft headroom under the boom. This is a good safety feature but means the cockpit floor is only an inch or two above the water line and when heeled it isn't! You need to wear wellies most of the time. It also means the cockpit seats are so low down nobody ever sits on them, you can't see anything from down there. Most people sit on the combings with their feet on the seats, not the safest thing to do, or stand up. I do wish the designer had offered another version with the cockpit mouldings about 6 or 8 inches higher up. It would have made a lot more useable depth in the lockers and quarter berth too. But I suppose the designer can't please everybody we all have our own different ideas of what would make the perfect boat.

John

 

[Colvic Watson]

We had one for two years, it's just a Mac 27 with a foot extra in the aft locker.

Good:
Loads of space
Very solidly built
A good spread of sail, fantastic on a broad reach
Easily driven by a 10hp engine
Good size fore cabin
Nice lines
Masses of boat for your money

Bad:
Pretty lousy to windward, even with new sails
Almost no bilge in the cabin so any water sloshes about - 'orrible!
An old design with lots of wasted space in the cockpit
Bluff bows that stop her dead in the wrong conditions


It is what it is, a 1960's design, not a great sailer, some poor layout issues but for £6,000 (don't pay any more for a good one) they are outstanding value.

 

[yodave]

You might find some useful info on this blog:

http://monkeyirrepresable.blogspot.com/

It might even be worth asking the blog's author for an opinion.

Best of luck!

 

[bonzo]

Atlanta 8.5

Thanks all for the information. Sounds promising. Thanks yodave, I hadn't found that blog when searching.