Boat in build - little Viking 20.

[Eclipse2]

Congratulations on your new purchase, love the pictures keep them coming.
I hope this works as I am new to the forum.
Tony

 

[tinkicker0]

Lovely little boat.
Our berth neighbours have a Viking 20 and get all over on it, far further than I could due to range and comfort. They have a little Honda 15hp fourstroke OB on the back and it sips fuel apparently.

At this time of year though, watch out for Moorhen nests. Viking 20s appear to be very sought after by them and they have had 2 clutches of eggs every year for the last 3 years in the neighbours motor well.

I wish many happy times aboard her.

 

[jfm]

Then we started to add the extras that would make it suitable for our intended cruising, both at the deposit stage and throughout the build - Honda 20 with power tilt, Propex two outlet heating, shore power and ring main, Waeco fridge, choice of upholstery fabric and colour, carpet colour, hull carpet lining colour, cockpit cushion colour, firmer seat/bed foam throughout, canvas canopy with modified openings and s/s hoops in lieu of PVC and ally hoops, 2 x 110ah batteries in lieu of 2 x 85ah, twin horn, bow roller, mid ships cleats, co-pilot seat and pedestal, both cockpit seats to have folding backs, additional shelving in cabin, 19" LCD TV & portable satellite dish, JVC CD/radio and four speakers (2 in cockpit, two in cabin) with aux in for MP3 player, additional under seat cockpit mood lighting, 6 x double satin finish 240v sockets, galley hob and sink moved 12" to left in worktop, stable cockpit door in lieu of one piece door to open inwards, mirror in cabin, cleats on bow to replace fairleads, footrest/storage box in front of co-pilot, second screen wiper, uprated battery isolator switch, Faria tacho and engine hours gauges, 3 x 12 sockets, 2 x stainless/teak bathing platforms either side of OB, s/s hoop around OB to enable stern to mooring, doors underneath v-berths (saves having to dive in from the top under the cushions), choice of colour for hull graphics, sign writing on bow and transom, full Anchor fender package (2" bigger than standard), 4 x 10m Marlow blue Dock lines, U-bolts on transom for lashing to trailer, additional U-bolt on bow, table socket in cockpit, opening window in starboard window assembly over galley (special from Sea glaze), tinted windows all roiund, additional handrails on outside of cockpit, Teleflex "Como" steering wheel.

Thanks for posting Deefor. How I love and smiled at the above para! Once you get a relationship with a good builder you just can't help yourself can you? You keep coming up with little tweaks and before you know it you have a list like yours! There really is a huge amount of pleasure in custom building from a bare hull. Good luck with rest of project and please post more pics after your 28/4 visit
Good choice of engine with the honda20/power tilt, too

 

[Deefor]

Perhaps we could cruise together when your new 78 arrives next year - ours INSIDE yours. At least I'd save on fuel, not that the Honda 20 drinks much anyway. The V20 would serve well as a tender .

Congrats on the SQ by the way .

 

[Deefor]

Once you get a relationship with a good builder you just can't help yourself can you?

And I think that sums up new build perfectly. As soon as the buillder said "anything else you'd like", wel that was it .

 

[JRR]

From JRR

Enjoying your descriptions re the Viking 20 build. Having just retired, I am myself considering taking to the waterways for the summer months. Originally I thought of purchasing a narrow boat, but like yourselves I like the versatility of being able to trail to different waterways and of course the absence of Marina fees.
The Viking 20 seems to have alot of what I am looking for in a boat and being a small craft reasonably manageable for one person to operate. Buying from Viking directly would seem to be a good idea and one which I had not realised was possible. It is an avenue I may seriously consider myself, particularly if costs are to be minimalised and the builders are as accommodating as you suggest.
My initial venue would be to explore The Broads where I shall be holidaying with friends aboard a hire cruiser for a week in May as a prelude to my future plans.
I am quite minimalist in my requirements so do you think the 20 would be realistic for me to over summer on, mostly alone but occasionally with one extra, or would I be better purchasing a second hand larger craft albeit more restrictive for transportation? Thanks for the thread and good luck with your build.

 

[JRR]

Looking forward to your next report after the 28.4.12. Just retired and considering the purchase of a Viking 20 myself. I was thinking of buying a nearly new boat but if dealing directly with the builder proves to be better value and your experience is good then I too may go down that route. Keep the threads coming they are invaluable to potential owners. Cheers. JRR

 

[Deefor]

The latest news (sort of)..........

Went to see the boat in build last Saturday, 28th April, and it's coming along really well. The factory don't normally work on a Saturday but Wayne Goodwin (Viking main man ) met us at 9.00am for a 3 hour question and answer session.

Although we currently cruise the Thames, we've spec'd the boat out with the Broads and other inland "tidal" waters in mind. Viking are very, very accommodating and any prospective purchaser won't be disappointed.

Now the bad news - I haven't had any free time to sit down and do a proper write up and post pics since we saw the boat (work, family etc, etc.) but hope to continue the story some time this week.

In the meantime, one quick pic .

 

[Deefor]

Thought I'd better mention that we've also invested in a new trailer, a custom built one from SBS Trailers in Wolverhampton, West Mids. Went for the R4-1800 bunk model to suit the boat and current car at the time. Trailer is a keel roller type but instead of the bunks, we've got a full roller setup. Again, great service from SBS .

Then SWMBO thought a front wheel drive Vauxhall Signum 3.0 diesel might not pull the boat and trailer up the slipway and decided we should invest in a 4x4. So Jilly Jeep has arrived (Signum up for sale ) and she's a 2.7 diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee which, according to the manufacturer, will pull 3.5 tonnes .

Will be a tad miffed if we decide to keep the boat in the water permanently .

 

[JRR]

Looks nice and shiny, hope you manage to keep it that way!

The jeep should make light work of the towing and the trailer sounds ideal. I shall be towing with an X trail, having previously towed with a Discovery. Here's hoping they are a good match.

Looking forward to seeing your pictures and hearing your future build experiences along with the launch. Oh! And of course your 'salty' or should that be brackish Broadland
tales. Cheers, JRR

 

[Deefor]

So sorry that this update has been a long time coming .

Going back to the 28th April, a few more pics of the inside showing most of the equipment installed but no upholstery in place.

 

[Deefor]

Again, 28th April 2012, cockpit shots, no upholstery fitted or skipper & mates seats.

Blue thingy is the Truma gas warm air heating

 

[Deefor]

28th April 2012, outside shots, no engine, acrylic canvas hood removed cos of the dust in the factory.

Really pleased with the bathing paltforms, not seen these on many other small boats. Gives us the option of sten on mooring and there's also a stainless hoop to go around the outboard to protect the engine.

Big boat horns on the roof - my favourite accessory, sad or what?

Last pic shows the V215 alongside our V20. Basically the same boat but with an integral bathing platform and transom gate.

 

[vas]

coming along nicely!

I'd have thought that she'd be ready by now?
How about some June/July pics then

cheers

V.

 

[Deefor]

28th April 2012 - had a great time looking at the boat, checking out what had gone on and making sure everything was going to be fitted in time for us to collect it a week later on Saturday 5th May.

Turns out that Viking thought we collecting on Friday 4th May but it was always going to be the 5th, a date decided several weeks ago. Due to Viking not being able to now do the 5th (staff issues), we agreed that we'd collect on the Bank Holiday Monday, the 7th May.

 

[Deefor]

coming along nicely!

I'd have thought that she'd be ready by now?
How about some June/July pics then

cheers

V.

Yep, see next post (and a few more).

 

[alt]

Crikey, that's a LOT of boat for 20'

I suspect she's higher spec than my Cranchi

 

[Deefor]

7th May 2012 - the big day . Up at 4.30am to be in Great Dunmow, Essex, by 8.00am. Had to hook up trailer this morning as weather was foul last night.

Got to the factory on time and boat was waiting in hoist and slings ready to be just dropped onto new trailer

As it was new trailer and never had a boat on before, we (Vinny & Wayne from Viking plus me) then spent the next three hours trying to get the boat level on the trailer and getting the correct nose weight.

Strapped the boat down, waved goodbye and set of on the 80 mile trip home. Weather was great for 30 miles and then the heavens opened on the M25. The hood, although it's fine in 50 mph dry, twoing conditions, ain't designed to take a 50mph rain lashed gale .

Finally got home only to find the cockpit carpet and upholstery soaked due to the driving rain. Note to self - if rain is forecast, sort out the cockpit before setting off .

Only pics we got due to the time spent loading the boat are one before we left and one when we got home - sorry.

EDIT - need to start a new thread to add more photos cos apparently I've exceeded the allowable amount per post .

 

[Deefor]

Crikey, that's a LOT of boat for 20'

I suspect she's higher spec than my Cranchi

All for the price of a new top of the range Ford Focus diesel .

The best pics are yet to come of the finished item . (I've yet to take the pics ).

 

[jfm]

Crikey, that's a LOT of boat for 20'

It is indeed like a tardis. Looks like 30 footer inside - amazing. Very nicely fitted out. I like the light wood (oak?). Very nice job indeed and thanks for the pics Deefor

Deefor, on the 215 with the added platform, where does the engine go?