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Viking vs Hatteras vs Bertram Yachts: Still A Sportfish Rivalry
By Robert Bowman | Posted On Dec 29, 2024
Let's face it, anglers love a good debate about fishing and fishing boats. Is a center-console better than a sportfishing boat? Is waiting on the build-time of a custom sportfish worth it or is it better to go with a semi-custom production shipyard? Of course, all of the answers to these debates boil down to personal preferences and each buyer's personal situation.
In certain periods over the last 50 years, there were times when the Viking, versus Hatteras, versus Bertram debates were relevant. One of the most recent examples that comes to mind is the Viking 58 Convertible competing against the Hatteras GT59 and the Bertram 61 Convertible. While the Hatteras GT59 has been discontinued, there are still pre-owned boats on the brokerage market and can be a valid discussion for potential buyers. This is the case with many competing models.
Over the years, the competition has waned and the Viking Yachts shipyard has cemented itself as the undisputed leader. Viking is now offering 30 sportfishing models, in addition to their new center-console line, Valhalla Boatworks. From a total production standpoint, Viking is building and delivering more than 80 boats per year. In contrast, Bertram is only offering 3 sportfishing models with the largest being the 61 Convertible. Hatteras Yachts, since being purchased by White River Marine Group (otherwise known as Bass Pro Shops) released a video about new models coming in 2024, but they have yet to debut. Hatteras is said to be building 3 new models - the Chub Cay 77, Cat Cay 66', and a Bimini Run 48. As of their last post on social media in August, what looks to be the hull mold of the 77' is being moved to the factory. Hull #1 of the 77 is said to be launching later in 2025 and hull#2 is already sold.
With Bertram heavily focused on their center-console models and Hatteras still working through an entirely new set of designs and re-tooling at their New Bern shipyard, the production sportfish rivalry looks to still be paused with Viking the clear leader. Will that change beyond 2025 as Hatteras begins to roll out their new models? Doubtful. Viking has been heavily investing in new technology for the last two decades and it will take just as much time for any of the other sportfish builders to ramp up enough demand and production capacity to catch up. One could argue that the $6 billion+ annual revenue of Bass Pro Shops would be enough capital to be thrown at the shipyard, however the White River Marine Group produces just over 10% of that revenue. It's likely WRMG will take a cautious approach to see how the market reactions. Fodder on social media has been less kind to the thought of a "Bass Pro-built Hatteras", but many of the same Hatteras factory workers have been retained. Likewise, Bertram has also been able to shake negative reputation from the de-lamination issues of the early 2000's and has re-solidified itself as a quality boat.
For now, the debate will remain about models of days past. It will be sometime before anglers can sit on the flybridge and have a legitimate discussion about the 3 builders that would mirror a debate about Ford, Chevy, versus Dodge.
(Below: Hatteras released this teaser video in late 2023 announcing the design of 3 new sportfish models.)
As for sales of used yachts in 2024, there have been over 350 pre-owned sportfish sold from Viking, Bertram, and Hatteras. These ranged from a 20-foot Bertram Moppie built in 1964 to the legendary Viking 92 Convertible which sold for approximately $8 million on the brokerage market. All custom sportfishing boats were removed from the data.
Of the list of sold sportfishing boats in 2024, 28% were Bertrams, 28% were Hatteras Yachts, and 44% were Vikings. For boats built after the year 2000, the average amount of time those sportfish spent on the market was just over 200 days.
(Below: A good example of a well-maintained, pre-owned Viking 70 Convertible on the market)
United Yacht Sales is a leader in brokerage sportfishing yacht sales and is considered the largest yacht brokerage firm in the world. Currently, United yacht brokers have over 30 boats for sale built by Viking, Hatteras, and Bertram listed all over North America. "There are more options on the brokerage market today than what we've seen the last several years," said Captain Jeff Palmer, President of United Yacht Sales. "We are also seeing a lot more price reductions than we were in 2021 through 2023. Still, a boat that's got its service record history, has been captain-maintained, and is priced right will still sell quickly and for close to asking. We see this play out on a weekly basis."
So what could today's sportfish buyer expect to find from these builders on the brokerage market for below $2 million? Here are 3 examples below from Viking, Hatteras, and Bertram that are representative of competing options from the production sportfish market:
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- Price: $899,000
- Power: Twin MTU M91 2000 2000HP engines
- Accommodations: 4-Cabin layout
- Broker Comments: This versatile and spacious 68 Convertible is an excellent option for anyone looking to fish seriously or cruise comfortably. Her Twin MTU M91 2000s have low original hours. She comfortably sleeps eight guests in a 4-Stateroom layout, including an impressive full beam master, and three twin birth cabins. Charming Teak floors, granite countertops, and high gloss wood finishes give this boat a timeless nautical aesthetic that is lost in most modern boats.
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- Price: $1,258,000
- Power: Twin MTU-M91 V162000M91-V16 2,000HP engines
- Accommodations: 4-cabin layout
- Broker Comments: With a size of 67 ft long at water line and a 18.67 ft beam combined with 5.58 ft max draft, this is really a Bertram sportfish for anywhere, any time. Boasting MTU power and running speeds of 32 knots cruising speed and 38 knots max speed, you get there and back when you want. She carries fuel of 2008 gallons and a 350 gal freshwater tank gives you legs to get the distance and the water to stay out, (plus this boat has a watermaker). The salon is open to the galley and dinette, with high-gloss cherry woodwork and expensive furnishings. Guest accommodations include four heads and four staterooms, including a full beam master stateroom with a king-size bed and walk-in closet. With the biggest cockpit, (168 sq ft), in her size, the fishing amenities include a bait prep center, freezer, and transom door.
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- Price: $1,550,000
- Power: Twin CAT C-32 1,825HP engines
- Accommodations: 4-cabin layout
- Broker Comments: This Viking 64C is a four-suite vessel with a Mezzanine, she is equipped with an Omni Sonar, Ice Makers, a Water maker, and all the necessary electronics. Equipped with twin Onan generators & robust twin Cat C32 engines rebuilt at 3200 hrs. and a further 3400 since, engineered for speed, stability, & smooth handling. With constant maintenance by a professional Captain and Crew, the vessel has been taken care of to the highest standards with an “open checkbook”.
To search all sportfishing boats for sale on the market, please follow this link.
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