1978 Viking rebuild

[tnelsmn]

Update from the lake.

Got the boat back in the water and everything has worked flawlessly so far. Went out on a slow morning and made a few passes at 92mph with a full tank of fuel. I’m very happy with it. Going to order a 32ET and see if I can turn it before doing stuff to the motor.

On another note I have a deal to go pick up another one this week. No guaranty that I will do a rebuild but for the price I couldn’t say no. Boat, motor, trailer for $700.

[LakeFever]

Congrats on the hull thats a must buy deal especially being a complete package. Im sure the imagination is firing and the layup is easy to visualize compared to the first one especially. I really hope you build it and post for us to watch. Best entertainment, i enjoyed your first build immensely

Go Tony!

[rgsauger]

This is an awesome build! Love your Flickr pics

[tnelsmn]

Lake, sorry I spaced a reply. Yeah, couldn't say no for the price. I'll end up building the Vector, might even start next fall. Just have to decide how I want to go; all composite center steer potato chip, or more traditional side steer with balsa and coosa. Since its a Vector I'll have to decide what to do with the pad; run it stock, fill it in, remove the wedge. So many decisions haha.

Rgsauger, thanks! It was a fun build! Flickr seemed like the easiest way to dump all the build pictures along the way for friends/family to check in on the build.

I found a 32ET for my Viking I'm looking forward to running next spring! I'll get the last 6mph out of this thing one way or another!

[tnelsmn]

I received an update from the new upholstery shop I'm using and couldn't be happier! I wanted a modern pattern while keeping the original shape of the seats etc. I will be picking these parts up this week and will hopefully get them in the boat in the next week or two. I'm having the rear panel embroidered and have to drop that material off at another shop. Lots of running around but it will be worth it!

This has been a long time coming and can't wait to have it in the boat.

[LakeFever]

Those look great! My wife said “oh wow” so you have two nods of approval. Im taking the same road, using the old original for now, will recover later.

[tnelsmn]

Those look great! My wife said “oh wow” so you have two nods of approval. Im taking the same road, using the old original for now, will recover later.

Thanks, Lake! My originals from 78 lasted two full seasons of use. Although the bases were new, and the original wooden frame on the passenger side probably wouldn't have made it through another season.

[tnelsmn]

Well here it is. The interior is finally finished!

After two years of excuses and BS from the first lady I brought the seats to I found a new shop who got it done!

For a refresher I built the frames as an exact replica of the originals with the exception that the base is about 1" shorter. Everything was built from 1/2" coosa board.

The side panels and rear panel are made from 1/4" PVC board. The side panels have 1/4" t nuts behind the padding and are bolted in through the gunnel.

I had the upholstery guy make some straps that I used with some snaps to hold the seat bottoms in. They always liked to fly out over some big waves or over 70.

The carpets are snap in so they can be easily pulled and cleaned/dried. I cut them to size and found a local shop to bind the edges. I didn't plan to carpet the little forward floor beyond the foot well but I had leftover material so I figured why not.

I would call the project complete at this point but I still want to switch the cowls back to the clamshells. Once thats complete I will call it finished.

[LakeFever]

Looks great mam big congratulations! Hows that feel to be signing off on this calling it officially complete?

[XstreamVking]

Looks real nice and easy to clean.

[tnelsmn]

Lake, it's a great feeling to be here! I still want to get the clamshells on the ProMax, but thats minor.

X, thanks! I got a lot of sap all over it this last weekend and was able to pull the carpets and lay them on the floor, grabbed the vacuum out of the house to do the job, super easy.