Why does the V-King carry the weight of a V6 better than the Vector?

**outasite** · 10-27-2015, 04:45 PM

Two boats side by side,same condition,personally I would take the Viking,I think it's. Just notch up in most every aspect.If you sold the Vector and bought a Viking in the same condition,the out of pocket cost would be minimal.

**W2F a V-King** · 10-27-2015, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by speedman79

A vector is basically a Viper with a beak!

<center>
The Vector was originally rated for 165 HP but was later downrated to 145. Pipkorn wanted a hull that would handle more horsepower than what he had available at the time, so essentially he took the Viper and added two feet onto the nose to get the Vector and a higher HP rating.

</center>

Now on a Vking 8" inches doesn't sound like a lot but... from reading up on how the Vking was developed it seems that 8" was added behind the windshield. That sounds like it shifted the cockpit weight forward(seats, persons) forward making for a better balanced boat when hanging 400-450 lbs motors on the back. Widened pad would also help carry the extra weight. Its not drastic differences but small tweaks can go a far way. I'd love to get Vking, put it on my wish list!

Good point.I hadn't thought of that. Might push center of pivot even a little further forward. Leveraging the weight of the heavier motors. Guess it's a good thing to keep the bow down without actually adding weight up there on purpose.
Made that mistake on a Checkmate I had years ago, when restoring it I added the fuel tank up front under the bow. If the tank was full it took some extra trim to get some air. Near empty was a better handling boat, however being close to out of gas had it's consequences...

And anywhere in between full and empty, the fuel slosh made things uneasy.

Thanks for that!

James

**W2F a V-King** · 10-27-2015, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by outasite

Two boats side by side,same condition,personally I would take the Viking,I think it's. Just notch up in most every aspect.If you sold the Vector and bought a Viking in the same condition,the out of pocket cost would be minimal.

Yes, and restoring the V-King would not require a considerable pad reshape as well.
I don't mind the work, but if I can get away with it...I'd rather not.

Not that I mind fiberglass sanding dust in the air ....

I'm still gathering supplies for the boat, and parts for my 2.4 rebuild. So I have time to keep my eye's peeled for a deal on a V-King that needs a complete overhaul. You really cant buy one already done for this purpose. I mean if you bought any of these Streams, even if it was said it was redone...I'd have a hard time running a boat and pushing the limits on somebody else's glass work. Unless it was a documented rebuild like I have seen here, Like XtremeVikings rebuild..nice work.

Otherwise I'd have to at least raise the floor for a looks see.

I appreciate all the thought's given here!!

James

**texasvector** · 10-27-2015, 05:54 PM

side by side....i choose viking

viking has less core in it also...save on rebuild cost

**outasite** · 10-27-2015, 06:05 PM

James your right on track! Do it yourself, and KNOW what you got.If your goal is 80/85 a vector is great,but 200hp and 90+Mph safely goes to the king.----I know I'll catch crapp for saying this,but a Viper is great with a big inline,a Viking is great with a big V6,A Vector is good with both,but IMO is not great with ether.

**rock** · 10-27-2015, 06:22 PM

The pad change was forever ago but I will take a look and see what I can find.

Rock

**W2F a V-King** · 10-27-2015, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by BeefKid

battery in the boat the vector does fine with a 3.0 omc on it

Just looked through your pictures of the Vector, and saw what you meant about the battery up in the bow. I like that. You guys did a really nice job on the core and transom restore. Never thought about bulk heading the core. Any idea what that boat weighed when you got through?

James

**BeefKid** · 10-27-2015, 11:07 PM

no i never weighed it... i liked the core delete we did lol a stringer bulkhead "cradle" i guess you could say worked great boat was in the gulf of mexico alot and never budged

**speedinstream** · 10-28-2015, 05:49 AM

Iv had to v kings drivin several vectors my vote is v king 100% for shure better ride and handling at all speeds i broke a drive shaft at 90 in one of my kings after the motor hit 185000 rpm lol the boat coasted to a stop a vector would have jumped side ways and im shure i would have went swimming

**W2F a V-King** · 10-28-2015, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by speedinstream

Iv had to v kings drivin several vectors my vote is v king 100% for shure better ride and handling at all speeds i broke a drive shaft at 90 in one of my kings after the motor hit 185000 rpm lol the boat coasted to a stop a vector would have jumped side ways and im shure i would have went swimming

Thanks for that heads up. I remember that a sudden change in torque is not a good thing for a pad boat aired out. Bet that few seconds had your heart beat up some! That's definitely inline with other people's advice. Guess that's another vote for the V-King. It still amazes me that 8" of boat and a little wider flat pad gives the V-King so much better attributes, with little loss in speed.

Guess Howard's wedge then accidental warping into a hook, wasn't the good thing for the Vector? Maybe that's why the guys racing the Vectors wanted the earlier version of the Vector (pre 1975) without the wedge/hook?

I'm still wondering if I widen, flatten, and duplicate the V-King pad on my Vector what would be the outcome? I know set up is critical, but there are to many guys with similar reports about the comparison between the two boats.

I like BeefKid's Idea of putting the battery way up in the bow. Adding a little weight up front to help keep a bow flighty boat some? Also I see a Comp V-King that was used for racing had a weight box up in the bow too.

I appreciate all the responses.

This is good education for me, it's been almost 20 years since I had a high 70's low 80 mph pad boat.

Thank you,

James

**XstreamVking** · 10-28-2015, 09:06 AM

At higher speeds I don't rely on weight to maintain the ride attitude of the boat. I use the trim. I put the batt up front on my King once and it made no difference except at idle. Moved it right back to the port side aft. You can see on my sig pic that the boat has zero trim and is flying well with a 3.0l merc running a 28p lightning. And that is a heavy motor. I also had 18+ gals of fuel in the tank (on the transom). Plus an oil tank and small anchor and line on the star side aft. The beats of the prop can even be seen.....No wasted energy making a giant roost like you sometimes see. It is hooked up giving low slip numbers.

**W2F a V-King** · 10-28-2015, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by XstreamVking

At higher speeds I don't rely on weight to maintain the ride attitude of the boat. I use the trim. I put the batt up front on my King once and it made no difference except at idle. Moved it right back to the port side aft. You can see on my sig pic that the boat has zero trim and is flying well with a 3.0l merc running a 28p lightning. And that is a heavy motor. I also had 18+ gals of fuel in the tank (on the transom). Plus an oil tank and small anchor and line on the star side aft. The beats of the prop can even be seen.....No wasted energy making a giant roost like you sometimes see. It is hooked up giving low slip numbers.

Yes, your rig is definitely dialed in, and one to copy to go fast. That is a nice picture of your boat at perfect trim..AND getting it done!

Thank you,

James

**rock** · 10-28-2015, 10:22 AM

Here are a couple pics from what it looked like at purchase and what it evolved into. Boat now belongs to a friend and has an old 225 Merc running in the 90s.

Rock

**XstreamVking** · 10-28-2015, 10:29 AM

One nice looking boat right there. Love the white.....225's were strong motors...

**W2F a V-King** · 10-28-2015, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by rock

Here are a couple pics from what it looked like at purchase and what it evolved into. Boat now belongs to a friend and has an old 225 Merc running in the 90s.

Rock

Outstanding!!

That is what I have been wanting to see!

Just curious why you didn't remove the hook all together? Is the V-King pad 100% flat? I have not measured a V-King pad as of yet.

So if you can recall any conversations with your friend that has the boat now?
That can be a tricky endeavor, selling a boat to a friend

. That's pretty close to being friends with a guy that is married to your ex wife or girlfriend.

Looks like a professional job done there, and I like the white on boats. Good choice.

Thank you for the pictures! As they say a picture is worth a thousand words.

James