Swiftcraft 5.6m Viking Total Rebuild
I have just started a full rebuild on a Swiftcraft Viking and currently it is in the fibreglass shop being re gel coated inside and out expecting quite a transformation anyone interested in following this rebuild ? I have added some photos so far the Total build should be finished in about 4 weeks ready to fish. Call it crazy for spending $45K on a rebuild but I have had many fishing boats over the years and just love the ride these hulls give also the stability at rest. Swiftcraft made 3 variations of the 5.6m hull the Explorer half cab the Dominator Cuddy cab and the Viking runabout I chose the Viking as I am a serious fisho and hate valuable deck space being wasted with cabs. Some of the features of the rebuild include new 140 4st Suzuki,new windscreen,new seats,new stainless rocket launcher and bow rail,new canopies,new HDS 10 and Radar,new 27meg,VHF radios,new anchor winch,new dunbier twin axle trailer. Everything on this boat will be replaced except the Hull.
Hope you can follow the rebuild over the next 4 weeks will contantly update the photos stay tuned
Brought the boat for $2000 the following 2 photos are when I brought it.
This photo is when I striped her back ready for Gelcoating
Hull upside down and being gelcoated
Brocky 
big john
Posts: 8749
Date Joined: 20/07/06
Agree
Should be happy with it Baden01, looks shit hot.
WA based manufacturer and supplier of premium leadhead jigs, fligs, bucktail jigs, 'bulletproof' soft plastic jig heads and XOS bullet jig heads.
Jigs available online in my web store!
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
Almost better than new and
Almost better than new and looking super sweet, + done in record time!
May I ask what electronics you are putting on it?
Baden01
Posts: 67
Date Joined: 11/10/12
Electronics
We have put a Lowrance HDS 10 sounder/GPS,Lowrance 4G Radar with map overlay,Lowrance sonic sound system,VHF and 27meg radios full wiring kit for the suzuki 140 to Lowrance HDS 10 and Simrad compass.
regards
Baden
Brocky
tournament
Posts: 376
Date Joined: 10/11/09
wat an awsome job youve done
wat an awsome job youve done on it
sea-kem
Posts: 14983
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Love that stand up room under
Love that stand up room under the canopy Baden. Are the seat posts adjustable? I ended up putting a taller one on the driver side of mine so I could see properly while driving.
Love the West!
Baden01
Posts: 67
Date Joined: 11/10/12
Seats
Yes mate fully adjustable air poles for the seat can get you up high if required
Brocky
Baden01
Posts: 67
Date Joined: 11/10/12
Keep an eye out Guys
Guys I was contacted by the Editor of Trailer boat fishing magazine who are going to run a story on the rebuild in there next addition
I will keep you posted and let you all know when it will appear Im pretty sure its the December addition
Brocky
Splashback
Posts: 82
Date Joined: 25/06/12
Mackie mauler that one!
And back home before the seabreeze kicks in. That is an awesome job there mate. Almost as good as a Chivers thunderbird that one.... :)
Splash
Rods: a few
Reels: a few too
Personal best: eaten and forgotten
Location: North Mandurah
Baden01
Posts: 67
Date Joined: 11/10/12
Radar on bit big though new pics
Bloody boat wont fit in the garage now !!
Brocky
Fish guts
Posts: 318
Date Joined: 20/07/12
All I can say is sweeeeeet
All I can say is sweeeeeet boat. My uncle has a Viking. Very stable vessel. You have done a great job restoring her mate. You gonna name her?
All men are equal before fish....
Baden01
Posts: 67
Date Joined: 11/10/12
BoatName
Yes we are going to name her maybe Brocky but not sure on that yet Fishguts
Brocky
Baden01
Posts: 67
Date Joined: 11/10/12
Final Photos
Well its all finished and took it out for a ride and no surprises runs like a dream we could not have asked for a better outcome it turned out better than we thought and rides better than ever. I hope everyone enjoyed the rebuild over 3700 views and apreciated all the feedback. Now the fun starts the season just started again for bottom fishing into it.
Kind regards
Brocky
Brocky
Fish guts
Posts: 318
Date Joined: 20/07/12
Looks freaking awesome mate.
Looks freaking awesome mate. Are you going to put an electric winch on the trailer. As you would know they are a heavy boat.
All men are equal before fish....
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
As you started this great
As you started this great topic with the $2000 hull,....
Are you willing and able to divulge the total rebuild cost of this project?
Baden01
Posts: 67
Date Joined: 11/10/12
Total Rebuild Cost
Glastronomic
There are a couple of points I would like to make with the rebuild This boat was our choice of hull not a Haines or an Ali boat but a Swiftcraft Viking to buy a new boat at this length and Width remember the fishing deck space on this boat revials anything in its class. Everything on this boat is brand new Motor,Electronics,Stainless,Canopies,Trailer etc in fact there are 3 things that are from the original boat The Hull,the rear stainless boarding ladder and the stainless Viking badge to the left of the helm. I am sure there are people out there that would believe our money would have been better spent buying a new boat but I am almost certain that if those people came for a ride in this boat as it is today I could change there mind the performance in any seas worth fishing in is outstanding.
I am happy to let everyone know the total cost as this is why I started this link in the first place to show people what can be done and at what cost with some of Western Australias best built and designed Hulls available for our conditions even if they are 30 years old.
Total Cost $52,000
Brocky
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
Thank you for that.I am glad
Thank you for that.
I am glad to hear that you are happy with your effords and outcome
Have been doing the same thing with an other brand fibre glass trailer boat.
If one can find a good sound hull it is indeed a very worthwhile project.
The pictures of your boat speak for them self.
You have shown through this topic that it is indeed very possible, quick and the outcome a succes.
Regards,
Glastro.
Jordo
Posts: 1
Date Joined: 09/04/13
Rebuild
Did you get the floor and internals rebuilt during this Process ?
What year is the swifty ?
Baden01
Posts: 67
Date Joined: 11/10/12
Hi jordoMy swifty is a 1982
Hi jordo
My swifty is a 1982 built here in WA . I did spend a bit of time checking the flooring put 2 inspection plugs in the floor and was lucky enough to find all was well rock solid floor and stringers.
Regards
Brocky
Brocky
AaronC
Posts: 118
Date Joined: 26/10/11
Hi Baden01
Really love the work you have done. Looks like you have spent a lot of hard earned cash and time on a great project.
I am in the same situation as crabking and want to try that matting for my floor. I asked a few companies at the Hillarys boat show on where to purchase the matting and knowone could tell me where toget it from.
Where did you by it from? is it comfortable to stand on all day on bare feet?
Cheers
Jeff Hugo
Posts: 48
Date Joined: 14/09/09
Clark Rubber
Near the end of the first page of the post he does say it came from Clark Rubber.
just thought I would let ya know
Cheers,
Jeff
Jeff
mart
Posts: 19
Date Joined: 06/06/12
flooring
Nice Finnish there Baden, i need to pick your braines about the type of flooring you have can you give tx me 0437787687 and then i will call you, thanks
davidsweeny123
Posts: 116
Date Joined: 31/03/14
hey mate what sort of speed
hey mate what sort of speed do you get out of the 140?
Baden01
Posts: 67
Date Joined: 11/10/12
I get about 35 knots top end
I get about 35 knots top end but changing the prop pitch soon so should get more hole shot is good ATM so hesitant to change pitch could loose hole shot
Brocky
davidsweeny123
Posts: 116
Date Joined: 31/03/14
Okay mate thanks for that,
Okay mate thanks for that, I'm looking at a Viking with a 115 Johnson 2 stroke 2003, what speed do you think I will get out of it?
Baden01
Posts: 67
Date Joined: 11/10/12
Being 2 stroke you would
Being 2 stroke you would have to push 30 knots great hull very stable fishing platform and trimmed right rides well in chop and a following sea I spent a fair bit on mine but I was in it for the long haul never to be sold. Not many Vikings come up for sale though?
Brocky
davidsweeny123
Posts: 116
Date Joined: 31/03/14
Yeh I saw your post with all
Yeh I saw your post with all the photos , very nice mate so do you think 115 will be enough, don't want a underpowered boat. Yeh there's only 2 on the market, very hard to come by
Baden01
Posts: 67
Date Joined: 11/10/12
I think a 115 would be
I think a 115 would be underpowered for my liking but being a 2 stroke not sure take it for a run would be best.
Brocky
davidsweeny123
Posts: 116
Date Joined: 31/03/14
Yeh alright I guess I'll
Yeh alright I guess I'll just have to take it for a sea trial. I think he wants a bit much for the boat but is it worth it for the hull?
Baden01
Posts: 67
Date Joined: 11/10/12
Depends if your buying it
Depends if your buying it for the hull only I wouldn't pay more than 6k and that even depends on what the condition is like you could also re sell the 115 to go towards the new motor I paid 2k for mine sold the old motor for $600 and the trailer for $800 how much does he want for it ?
Brocky
davidsweeny123
Posts: 116
Date Joined: 31/03/14
He wants 16 for it, it has a
He wants 16 for it, it has a Johnson 2003 two stroke, hydrolic steering as well. The hull is in pretty good condition for it's age, no repaires or chips. And the trailer is average needs new tyres but not much rust in it
SteveT
Posts: 1
Date Joined: 15/05/16
Swiftcraft
Hi Brocky
Read your article with great interest. I just bought a Swiftcraft hull sight unseen, picked it up yesterday. I'm nowing trying to decide what to do with it and I'm considering making it my project to build a great fishing boat from scratch. I have no idea what or year or model it is, I measured it at 17.5 feet but others say 18 to 18.5 feet. I'm hoping that, if I send you some pics, you may have the knowledge to tell me what year/model it is. My mail is I'd also also like to pick your brains about the pros/cons about rebuilding this type of boat if I do decide to make it a project. As for your boat, it looks absolutely awesome, fantastic job.
Cheers
Steve