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What You Need to Know About Valhalla Boatworks

Feb 4, 2019 | Bluewater Perspective , Featured , News , Viking Yachts | 2 comments

On February 1st, 2019, Viking Yachts CEO Pat Healey announced the creation of a new company called Valhalla Boatworks. The mission of this company is to take the signature Viking quality that has been seen in their sportfishing and motor yachts and integrate it into a new generation of center consoles. The initial lineup of boats is going to range from 33 to 41 feet, be outboard powered, and come with custom-engineered deep-v stepped hulls. In coordination with world-renowned Michael Peters Yacht Design, the Viking Design and Engineering team has created these boats with the fisherman in mind, and is looking to provide reliability, stability and efficiency. Here is what you need to know about this new brand:

What models will be available?

The first generation of Valhalla Boatworks models will include three models: The V-33, V-37 and V-41. All three models will have a similar look and feel, but the larger models will have more cockpit space, console space and available engine options.

What engine packages will be available?

The engine options will vary between models, but will be available as twins, triples or quads with a range between 300 and 425 horsepower. The initial specifications show the 33 with a max hp rating of 800 HP, the 37 with 1,200 Max HP and the 41 with 1,600 Max HP. Exact engine configurations will be available soon.

What standard features will these boats have?

Every model will be equipped with transom livewells, in-deck fishboxes and plenty of storage. The helms will feature Costa Clear wraparound windshields, hydraulic steering pods and Llebroc helm seating. Along with the helm seating, these models will also offer forward-facing lounge chairs, twin seats with backrests on the bows, and a rear-facing seats on the sterns. The consoles of each of these boats will include a head, rod storage and electrical access compartments. More information on other standard and available options will be available in the coming weeks.

How will the hull design impact performance?

Valhalla Boatworks center consoles will be built with what is called a Stepped-V Ventilated Tunnel in the hulls, a concept which comes from Michael Peters Yacht Design. This design is meant to increase efficiency in key operating ranges, which will give these boats advantages in speed, performance and stability. This unique hull will be used in all three new models and is a key differentiator from other competitive brands.

Where will these boats be built?

Valhalla Boatworks is part of the Viking Yachts family of boats and will be built at the Mullica Facility in Egg Harbor, New Jersey. This facility is just a few miles from the New Gretna main office and is used for the creation of several other Viking models including the 38 and 44.

When is the release?

The Valhalla Boatworks 33, 37 and 41 are set to debut in the Fall of 2019 at the Viking Dealer Meeting and Sea Trial Event in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Please contact your Bluewater Yacht Sales representative for more information about this event.

Can you please send me all info you have on the 33’ model. Including options and pricing. Thanks, Eric Ekstrom

Can you send me info on the v37 model including pricing. As a dealer; can we work out the discounts so I can advertise your boats as it comes out!

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Passing Of A Legend: Viking’s Robert Healey, Sr.

Robert Healey, Sr. – who cofounded the Viking Yacht Company with his brother Bill back in 1964 -passed away on December 9, 2021.  He was 92.

A graduate of Camden Catholic High School, St. Joseph’s University, and the University of Pennsylvania, where he obtained his law degree, Bob would spend 25 years dedicated to the field of law before he and Bill turned Viking into the #1 sportfishing yacht manufacturer in the world.

With Bill handling the boat manufacturing end, brother Bob steadfastly kept up on the business side of the equation.  As Viking’s Chairman of the Board for 57 years, Healey, Sr. diversified their financial interests into multi-family, industrial and commercial real estate, oil and gas exploration and development.  He would go on to receive numerous awards for his many achievements, including induction into the NJ Marine Trades Association Hall of Fame, as well as the National Marine Manufacturers Association Hall of Fame.

When the Healey brothers bought Peterson-Viking Builders, it was a small, struggling New Jersey builder of 37-foot, wooden sportfishing boats.  The first all-fiberglass Viking, the 33′ Convertible, wouldn’t roll off the New Gretna, NJ line until 1971.  But on their nearly six-decade journey towards becoming number one in the sportfishing game, Healey, Sr. also channeled his financial success into philanthropic interests, which included building schools in impoverished areas of Mexico, and providing housing, medical assistance, education, food and clean water to the people of war-torn Sierra Leone through the Healey International Relief Foundation.

Together with his wife Ellen, he also founded the Gleneayre Equestrian Program, which uses the unique connection between horses and people to support learning, growth, and healing to help support at-risk youth.

“My father was a true leader, and his vision will always guide us,” said his son, Robert Healey, Jr. who added “He believed that the people around him – his family, friends and employees – lifted him to success and it was his obligation to leave the world a better place.”

No Is Not An Answer

I was executive editor of The Fisherman Magazine in late 2008 when Mr. Healey called me on the phone to pitch me an idea. “Mr. Healey” is the only way I felt able to address him then, as I do today. It’s probably important to understand that my honor and respect for the Healey family came at an early age. My grandfather, James Becotte of Ocean City, had run boats for Post Marine in Mays Landing, and he would occasionally take me for tours of some of the local manufacturing facilities; our visit to the Viking facility in the 1970s somehow stuck out vividly in my memory.

So while working out of our Shirley, NY headquarters for just 2 short years, I was a bit surprised when Mr. Healey asked me over the phone to take the reins as managing director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA). I politely declined, to which he responded rather emphatically that I should personally visit him and his son Bob, Jr. at the Healey’s horse farm. To paraphrase, “Nobody says no to me on the phone, you come out and here and tell me in person.” As I was beginning to learn, Mr. Healey was not the type of man to take “no” or “not” as an answer.

In the 1950s, the Healey brothers acquired and developed the Bass River Marina in New Gretna before buying Peterson-Viking in the 1960s. After renaming the company to Viking Yachts, the Healey’s moved the boat manufacturing facility to their property adjoining the marina. But as business began to occupy so much of their time, they sold off the marina to focus attention on Viking; Bob, Sr. the moneyman and Chief Executive, while Bill focused on the essentials of boat building.

Viking Yachts would go on to become what they are today, but not without one incredibly large obstacle that threatened to destroy everything. In November 1991, President George H.W. Bush signed off on a luxury tax aimed at reducing the federal budget deficit (despite that “read my lips” moment on the campaign trail). The 10% luxury tax was levied on watches, jewelry, expensive furs, private jets, expensive cars, and yes, boats and yachts too. While some Americans might see a tax on the rich as a worthy investment in the middle class, it would turn out to have many different results. As noted in a 1993 Baltimore Sun article, the Luxury Tax would cost billions of dollars in lost boat sales and tens of thousands of lost jobs between 1990 and 1993. Many boat manufacturers went belly up during this period, and Viking itself was forced to lay off all but 65 of its 1,500 boatbuilders.

As I said, Mr. Healey never responded well to no’s and not’s, and he was instrumental in spearheading a national, grassroots campaign to fight the tax. Mr. Healey took the industry lead, organized busloads of out-of-work boatbuilders to converge on Capitol Hill for demonstrations, and set fire to a boat on a barge in Narragansett Bay as a highly effective symbol of protest. He would continue to work with Rep. William Hughes of New Jersey’s second congressional district to help secure votes in Congress, and by August of 1993, President Bill Clinton officially signed the repeal of the “luxury tax” while citing an overwhelming loss of American jobs.

“My uncle’s efforts to repeal the Federal Luxury Tax on yachts will never be forgotten,” said Bill’s son and Viking Yachts President and CEO Pat Healey. “He saved not only Viking but the entire marine industry. He was the catalyst and leader, and he wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”

With his brother’s help, Mr. Healey privately funded the company out of his own savings, allowing Viking to tool up new models during the early 90s downturn. While sales from 1991 until 1993 were dismal to say the least, the Healey’s decision to remain open allowed the company to tool up for new models, which helped the company leapfrog competition in the mid-1990s. Once the Luxury Tax was finally repealed, Viking Yachts fired out of the gate, taking over the position of #1 sportfishing yacht manufacturer.

“He was a brilliant lawyer and savvy businessman who was able to convince the politicians in Washington that this was very much a jobs issue,” his nephew Pat said, adding “It was a great victory for our family-owned-and-operated boatbuilding company, the people of New Jersey and everyone in the marine industry.”

Thus it was sometime around Christmas of 2008 – not long after the passing of my grandmother Becotte – when I sat down personally with Mr. Healey and his son Bob, Jr. at their Gleneayre farm to discuss the RFA position offered by phone; the one which I’d already turned down. After trying the “no” route several more times during our meeting, I eventually agreed to give notice to The Fisherman in early January; I would spend the next 6 years at RFA working not far from the Viking facility in New Gretna.

The Politics Of Fishing

In the years that immediately followed the luxury tax repeal, Mr. Healey began to focus on the political solutions to problems plaguing the recreational fishing and boating industry. In 1996, he and former New Jersey charter boat captain Jimmy Donofrio helped establish RFA as a 501(C)(4) nonprofit political action organization to promote sustainable fisheries and a healthy marine environment. Over the past 25 years, Viking has contributed well over $1 million to the RFA efforts.

“I got to spend a lot of time with Bob driving to DC meeting with House and Senate members, and I was always amazed by his instinctive ability to analyze a situation and read people,” Donofrio said of Mr. Healey. “He was a brilliant leader and a mentor for me. He always told me just keep moving forward and get it done. I am happy he had a full life and I was glad to have some part in it over 25 years. Love you Bob,” Donofrio added.

Of Donofrio, Mr. Healey leaned towards me across his desk during that sit-down at the family farm in 2008, and in deadpan expression said “You see, Jimmy Donofrio is like nuclear energy, control it and you can power the world.” As he spoke, he brought his hands together with fingers entwined, before suddenly breaking his hands apart and saying “but if you can’t keep it under control, you could destroy the entire planet.”

It was a strange way to hammer the deal into place. Those who know Donofrio will no doubt appreciate the analogy. But those two men have very much been like father and son, loyal as the day is long, and patriots to the cause. The fact that Mr. Healey passed away just weeks before Donofrio’s official retirement from the RFA was perhaps more poignant than coincidental; both representing devastating losses to the fishing community as a whole.

Some cynics I’ve met over the years could never be convinced that Bob and Bill Healey cared much for the little guy, blindly viewing them simply as wealthy boatbuilders who only cared about their big boat customers. But as Mr. Healey would often explain to me, hardworking folks who make a modest living today strive for success in the future; a young plumber’s apprentice for example, working a 60-hour workweek so that he can climb aboard a skiff for a weekend of fluking, might someday step away from his own plumbing and supply company for a few hours each week to tool around in his 55′ Viking convertible called Pipe Dreams .

So as much as the Healey family has remained committed to a personal mantra “to build a better boat every day,” they also dedicated their personal and professional lives to looking out for everyone else in the recreational fishing and boating community, navigating some often treacherous political waters. As the saying goes, “a rising tide floats all boats.”

“My father always said, ‘We’ve worked hard to get to the top of the mountain, we’re enjoying the view and we’re not going to give it up,'” said Bob Jr. who is now co-chairman of the Viking Group which manages Viking Yachts, Viking Investments, Viking Associates, Viking Residential and Viking Developers. In fact, in following with his father’s belief in finding political solutions to solve problems, the younger Healey recently tossed his hat into the political ring in announcing his bid for Congress in 2022 running against Rep. Andy Kim in New Jersey’s third congressional district.

“The reason those boats are of such good quality is because we’ve got a 57-year history of having really great people that work alongside us,” Healey, Jr. was recently quoted as saying at NewJerseyGlobe.com , adding “We’re talking about 57 years of people who have been able to buy a house based on working for our company.”

“Some of them are immigrants. Some of them were born and raised here. Some of their families go back 300 years in places like Ocean County and Atlantic County… they’re all really good people,” Healey, Jr. told NewJerseyGlobe.com .

The Healeys repurchased Bass River Marina again in 2002, reopening it as the Viking Yachting Center. Along with the Viking Yacht Company, the marina complex also includes Breeze’s Bar and Grill on the Bass River along with a fuel dock. In 2016, Viking also purchased the Ocean Yacht facility in Egg Harbor City – roughly 9 miles from the New Gretna facility – where Viking Mullica builds the new line of Valhalla Boatworks center consoles from 33 to 46 feet.

All together both South Jersey facilities employ roughly 1,100 good people.

Perrine, Leek, Cavileer, Hankins, Henriques, Hunt, Post, Olsen, Peterson; the list of family names in New Jersey boatbuilding history is a long one, dating back to colonial times. And while Viking may be the brand best known around the globe today, it’s the Healey name that will carry along with the other legends of New Jersey’s rich seafaring lineage.

Fair winds and following seas Mr. Healey.

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New Viking Yachts For Sale

Viking yachts are widely known as the ultimate sportfishing boats built today, equipped for serious offshore tournament fishing. Boat owners demand high levels of performance, space, amenities on board, and range, and these boats definitely deliver. Viking yachts for sale range from 38 to 90 feet in length and are built at their American shipyard located in New Gretna, NJ. SI Yachts has sold Viking yachts longer than any other dealer in the world, and we're the top Viking dealers for New York, parts of New Jersey, and southern Connecticut. Check out our current Viking models for sale today, or contact us to customize your own.

Known for being fast, highly maneuverable, and fun to drive, the Viking Billfish series is a great step up for center-console owners. The Viking Billfish series began with acquisition of the former Ocean Yachts factory, which gave Viking more than 80,000 square feet of boat-building space right on the Mullica River. The Viking 37 Billfish began the new model line, which has added the 38 Billfish and 46 Billfish. The new 46 Billfish features a much larger cockpit as well as more horsepower to combine the speed of a center-console with the accommodations of a sportfish.

Convertibles

The Viking Convertible is what has made the New Jersey builder the dominant sportfish manufacturer it is today. Viking continually tweaks its helm and electronics on the open bridge to ensure that the captain always has optimal control and visibility. From 44 to 90 feet, there simply is no better fishing yacht than a Viking Convertible. Owners have won countless tournaments behind the helm of a Viking thanks to its precision maneuvering, wide cockpit space for teams to work, and the most reliable engines possible. Custom towers can be added from Viking's subsidiary company, Palm Beach Towers.

Enclosed Bridge

Viking's climate-controlled Enclosed Bridge yacht is a work of art. State-of-the-art helm design and electronics combined with extra seating and other amenities redefine what it means to own an Enclosed Bridge, with Viking setting the bar. Large windshields open up complete visibility when cruising from the inside helm, and the ergonomic design makes it easy to adjust all controls. Many of the Enclosed Bridge models even have retractable flat-screen televisions, wet bars, and extra storage. Owners who live in colder climates particularly seek out Viking Enclosed Bridge yachts for sale.

Open Series

The Viking Open Series offers owners a fishing and cruising vessel that has stable performance, sporty horsepower, and the interior comfort of a much larger boat. The Viking Open Series is now offered from 44 to 54 feet, with the 54 Open being the newest model. If you currently own a center-console, the Open Series model line is a perfect crossover boat.

Sport Coupe

The Sport Coupe model range is Viking's take on an express cruiser with sportfish DNA. The gorgeous hardtop looks sleek and can be outfitted with outriggers for trolling. The cockpit and command deck are the focal points of each Sport Coupe model.

Sport Tower

Viking's Sport Tower model range offers the Sport Coupe design with a custom Palm Beach tower. This has become a popular alternative to the Viking Convertible and Billfish series. Perfect for the owner and operator who loves to cruise as much as fish, the Viking Sport Tower series is available now from 44 to 54 feet.

QUICK FACTS

• Type Of Boat: Sportfishing Yachts
• Founded: 1964
• Founded By: Brothers Bob & Bill Healey
• President: Patrick Healey
• Location: "On The Bass River" New Gretna, N.J.
• Model Ranges: Convertible, Enclosed Bridge, Open, Sport Tower, Billfish, Sport Coupe
• Biggest Model: 90 Convertible, 90 Enclosed Bridge
• Smallest Model: 38 Billfish
• Boats Produced Each Year: Approximately 100
• First Viking Model Ever Produced: 33 Convertible

About Viking Yachts

SERVICE & EXPERTISE FAR BEYOND OTHER VIKING YACHT DEALERS

As one of the oldest Viking dealers in the world, SI Yachts has plenty of experience with this legendary brand, which we've worked with for more than 30 years. Our Viking specialists have been trained at the factory, fish with Viking boats recreationally, and have helped many clients over the years to find the perfect sportfish. When you're looking to buy a Viking yacht, just contact our Viking team and you'll get personalized assistance from our experts.

While we continually stock new Viking inventory, our proximity to the Viking shipyard also allows us to offer unparalleled service, including a special hands-on experience, to our customers who choose to build and customize their own boat. In addition, your SI Yachts Viking sales professional will make frequent trips to the factory to give you peace of mind as your yacht is being built. And once your new yacht is delivered, our Staten Island marina and service facility can do all warranty work, repairs, and routine maintenance needed throughout the life of your Viking ownership.

Our financial stability as a company also gives us the opportunity to be able to take your boat or yacht in trade toward the purchase of a new Viking. This makes it easy on our clients who want to own a new Viking yacht but don't want to wait for their boat to sell on the brokerage market. Should you want to sell your current boat or yacht and not trade it in, SI Yachts also offers one of the top marketing programs in the industry to sell your vessel quickly and efficiently. We also specialize in helping clients find used Viking yachts for sale .

ABOUT VIKING YACHTS

"Build a better boat every day." This is the company motto that Viking President Patrick Healey relentlessly drives into everyone who is part of the Viking team, whether they are at the factory helping to design and construct the boats or on the dealer side helping to sell the dream. In 1964, brothers Bob and Bill Healey first bought Peterson-Viking Builders, a small and struggling builder of 37-foot wooden sportfish boats in New Jersey. Today, Viking has become the worldwide leader in semi-custom fiberglass sportfishing boats and motor yachts with one of the most dedicated customer followings of any yacht on the market. It's not uncommon to see a Viking at the top of the leaderboard in any major billfish tournament. Viking has delivered more than 4,500 yachts and shows no sign of slowing down in the near future. On average, Viking builds 100 boats every year.

WHAT MAKES VIKING YACHTS SPECIAL?

While Viking may have an impressive facility with some of the most advanced technological equipment in the marine industry today, it's undoubtedly the people inside the company that make it special. It takes refined skill to build a boat, and Viking has employed generations of families who pass down their talents to their sons and daughters. Whether they're working in Viking's in-house carpentry shop or helping to install the customized interiors, Viking's artisans are dedicated and driven to build a better boat each day. Viking recognizes this passion for their product by rewarding its team with medical coverage at its in-house facility, retirement programs, and many other benefits that go above and beyond what is seen in today's corporate world.

Viking's ability to keep a skilled workforce allows it to build 90% of each model in its factory, which allows for an unprecedented level of quality control. Only the engines and components like HVAC units, transmissions, and electronics are built outside of the New Jersey factory.

But quality control isn't all that sets new Viking yachts apart from the competition:

• Viking is a family-owned business that employs families. There is a true passion and commitment when you're intimately involved with the building of something great. Viking is owned by the people who put their own blood, sweat, tears, and money into the products, not by a corporation or investment firm.The Viking team don't just design the product; they live it.
• The Viking team is no stranger at billfish tournaments worldwide. Whether it's in Costa Rica at the Los Suenos Marina billfish circuit, its own Viking Key West Challenge, Skip Smith's tournament series, or the up-and-coming Montauk Canyon Challenge, you will often see Patrick Healey and team fishing one of their boats. There is even a position at the company manned by Ryan Higgins that focuses on using the product in real customer-life situations.
• The Viking factory is the X factor when it comes to building yachts. It's hard to overlook the advantages that multiple CNC routers and a $1 million five-axis profiler can give you. Being able to create foam plugs to build Viking's complex molds for its models means more advanced capabilities and design opportunities.
• Viking yachts have one of the best dealer and service networks in the industry. If you look around at the dealer network that Viking has assembled to represent its product, it is in the top of its class. Each Viking dealer in the U.S. has the financial stability to weather recessions and downturns and continue to stock new models. The similarity among the dealers isn't a coincidence, as the Healey brothers looked for the same characteristics that made them successful in their dealer network. Additionally, Viking's multiple service facilities in the Northeast and South Florida give Viking owners convenient factory service options.
• Insurance companies prefer Viking yachts because of their high-quality materials and construction techniques, the reliability of Vikings over time, and the safety guidelines that the builder follows.

WHAT DIFFERENT TYPES OF YACHTS DOES VIKING BUILD?

Viking yachts for sale are divided into several categories that vary by how and where the owner will use their yacht. Each model line has specific characteristics that differentiate it from the others, so Viking is able to tailor their offerings to each customer's wishes.

• Billfish : The Viking Billfish model line began with the 37 Billfish after Viking acquired the old Ocean Yachts factory in Egg Harbor. The 37 Billfish was immediately popular and proved to be a great stepping stone for center-console owners who wanted the space and interior amenities of a sportfish. Today, Viking builds both a 38 Billfish and a 46 Billfish .
• Convertible : Viking's most popular model line is undoubtedly its open-bridge Convertible sportfishing yachts. Viking offers ten different open-bridge models for almost all offshore requirements, ranging from 44 to 90 feet. Two of Viking's newest models in this range include the 58 Convertible (second-generation model) and the 68 Convertible, both of which exceed 40 knots at top speed. Viking's 54 Convertible that debuted in 2020 won the Best in Show award at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show.
• Sport Yachts : Viking offers both Sport Tower and Sport Coupe sport yachts ranging from 44 to 54 feet.
• Open Express Yachts : Viking's Open express-style yachts offer owners and captains the exhilaration of being in an open cockpit. Viking has three models in the Open Series line, including the new 44 Open as well as a 48-O and a 52-O.
• Enclosed Bridge : For colder-weather captains or owners that simply want the extra interior space of an enclosed bridge, Viking offers five models ranging from 62 to 90 feet. Additionally, there is a skybridge version of the Viking 80 and 90 models.

HOW ARE VIKING YACHTS BUILT?

The process by which Viking yachts are built is quite complex and impressive. It all begins with the five-axis profiler that is able to create the foam plugs needed to build the molds that are designed by the in-house team. The precision that computer-generated cutting of laminates and materials provides far exceeds the quality that any human could achieve. Each hull is built for maximum durability, rigidity, and performance. Like at many builders today, the hull is vacuum-bagged and resin-infused to provide extra strength, but Viking uses only the very best resin available, which has greater impact-resistant qualities. The resin is pulled through the materials in the hull, filling all possible voids. The final result is a hull that is lighter and stronger and allows for greater fuel-carrying capacity. And all of the Viking stringers and bulkheads are encapsulated in fiberglass and bonded to the interior of the hull, which provides additional strength.

Viking also has its very own metal shop in its New Gretna factory. The metal shop is responsible for creating Viking engine beds and hardware as well as other metal components. For example, spiral staircases for Enclosed Bridge models are fabricated here using either a high-polished anodized surface or a powder-coated finish for both aesthetics and durability.

In the Viking fiberglass shop, custom-made fuel, water, and waste tanks are crafted with the resin-infusion process. All tank bases mirror the shape of the bottom of the hull, maximizing space and capacity. Deck assemblies, salon floors, and flybridges demonstrate the talents of the skilled craftsmen on the fiberglass team.

Viking even has its own wood shop to make structural components, interior cabinetry, furniture, and joinery. Hand-finishing is also done here, which results in the incredible high-gloss finish seen inside Viking's salons and staterooms.

Once installation of the engines, wiring, interior components, and furniture is completed, the new Viking is transferred to the water for its initial testing. Quality control managers and the engineering department conduct exhaustive testing and record performance numbers to evaluate any adjustments needed. The result is a perfectly tuned package delivered to the customer ready to fish or cruise.

WHERE ARE VIKING YACHTS BUILT?

Viking yachts are built at one of two factories in the Northeast United States. The main Viking yacht factory is located on Route 9 in New Gretna, NJ, along the Bass River. Access to this river gives Viking the ability to put boats in the water right from the factory and navigate out to the Atlantic Ocean. This factory is as impressive as it gets. Featuring solar power, its own water supply, an in-house hospital and medical facility for its workers, and more than 810,000 square feet of factory floor, the Viking boat factory is one of the most state-of-the-art plants in the world.

In 2016, Viking acquired the assets to what used to be the Ocean Yachts factory in Egg Harbor City, NJ, along the Mullica River. Viking would name this factory Viking Mullica. Here, Viking manufactures its smaller boats, including the Billfish series. The 37 Billfish would go on to receive high praise for its traditional Viking quality, resemblance to the popular Ocean 37 Billfish, and maneuverability. In 2019, Viking began producing multiple models at the Viking Mullica facility, including the 38 Billfish and 46 Billfish as well as the Valhalla center-console line.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST VIKING YACHT BUILT TODAY?

The largest Viking yacht for sale today is the 90 Convertible , which has taken the place of the 92 Convertible and 92 Enclosed Bridge . The Viking 90 Convertible is offered in both an enclosed-bridge and skybridge version and was introduced at the Miami Boat Show in 2023. The previous longest Viking sportfishing boat models were first introduced in 2014 and sold 21 hulls, including the Fa-La-Me, which travels the world for big game.

WHAT IS THE SMALLEST VIKING YACHT BUILT TODAY?

The smallest Viking yacht built today is the 38 Billfish. The Viking 38 Billfish measures 38 feet 8 inches and is a perfect boat for the owner who wants to operate their vessel without a captain and crew. Viking has also designed and is in the process of building a 38 Open Express model. The next-smallest new Viking yachts for sale measure 44 feet and come in Convertible, Open, or Sport Tower models.

HOW MUCH DOES THE VIKING 92 COST?

Viking's previous flagship sportfishing model, the 92 Convertible has a base price of $9,730,000 when equipped with MTU 16V2000 M96L 2,635-HP engines. As bigger engines and other options are added, the cost obviously increases and can potentially reach more than $11 million. The cost of a Viking 92 is nothing compared to the adventures you will experience as an owner.

HOW MUCH DOES THE VIKING 90 COST?

Taking over for the 92 Convertible is the Viking 90 Convertible, the shipyard's newest flagship model. This is the ultimate sportfishing yacht that will reach 38 knots with twin CAT C-32A 1,925mhp engines. The base price of the 90 Convertible is more than $12 million with a fully-equipped boat costing more than $14 million.

DOES VIKING BUILD CENTER-CONSOLE BOATS?

Viking also builds center-console boats under the Valhalla Boatworks brand. Valhalla boats consist of five models:

• V-29 Hybrid

Each Valhalla center-console is made with a deep-V, stepped-hull design that gives owners fast and efficient performance. Each boat has a dedicated space for a Seakeeper Stabilizing System, in-deck fish boxes, raised transom bait wells, and a version of Viking's signature mezzanine seating. The Valhalla center-console line is configured with a variety of possible power options including twin, triple, quad, and even quint four-stroke outboards that will range from 300 to 600 horsepower. Power-assist hydraulic steering comes standard on each model, and owners have the option to add joystick helm controls. Viking's subsidiary companies continue to provide electronics from AME and marlin/tuna towers from Palm Beach Towers.

WHAT KINDS OF ENGINES DOES VIKING USE IN ITS YACHTS?

The size and manufacturer of the engines inside each Viking yacht vary depending on its size and the customer's requirements for horsepower. The 38 Billfish, for example, is powered with a Cummins QSB6.7 550-HP engine, which allows it to reach a top speed of 35 knots. On some of the larger Viking convertibles, like the 58C, owners have a choice of engine brands and options that range from MAN V12 1,400-HP to 1,900-HP engines as well as MTU Series 2000 V10 M96L 1,600-HP engines. The biggest Viking Convertible, the 90C, is outfitted with optional twin MTU Series 2000 V16 M96L 2,635-HP engines.

WHAT'S THE BEST PLACE TO TOUR A VIKING?

Viking offers numerous opportunities to tour its yachts every year at boat shows and two different VIP showcase events. Each year before the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and the Miami boat show, Viking hosts two events for customers and dealers to sea-trial different models, which are held either in Atlantic City, NJ, or at the Viking Service Center in South Florida. Customers from all around the world come to these two-day events to meet with factory representatives, see the new models before the boat show crowds, and try them out for themselves. If you are seriously considering purchasing a new Viking yacht, your SI Yachts sales professional can arrange for a personal factory tour or make sure you are invited to one of these VIP events.

Aside from the VIP events, Viking also displays more than 15 models at the Fort Lauderdale boat show and the Miami yacht show. These two boat shows are among the largest in the world and offer customers a great opportunity to climb on board almost every Viking yacht offered in their lineup.

WHY BUY A VIKING YACHT OVER BUILDING A CUSTOM SPORTFISHING BOAT?

Viking yachts are often referred to as production boats, but that isn't exactly true. Viking yachts are considered to be semi-custom yachts and give owners numerous opportunities to customize their vessel. Whether they want to change the layout from three cabins to four staterooms, convert space into extra rod storage, pick the engine manufacturer and horsepower, select what electronics they want installed, or simply alter the features in the cockpit, owners have a variety of options to make their Viking unique to their boating requirements.

Having multiple production lines also gives Viking an advantage over custom-built boats. From the time when the first deposit is made, building a Viking from scratch is completed years ahead of what a custom boat would take to build. It's also difficult to beat the service network that Viking has created. Whether you need warranty work, routine maintenance, service on your electronics, or installation of a Seakeeper gyro, Viking offers the ability to get your Viking or Princess yacht (thanks to an agreement between the two companies) in front of factory-trained technicians no matter your location.

WHAT IS THE MOST POPULAR VIKING MODEL BEING BUILT TODAY?

One of the most popular large sportfish models today is the Viking 72 Convertible . Making its debut in 2017, the Viking 72C has been reviewed as a fast, dependable, well-equipped sportfish for the hardcore angler. Designed to compete in and win blue-water billfish tournaments, the 72C features a 209-square-foot cockpit with space for a Seakeeper, all of the tackle storage and insulated fish boxes you could ask for, and a wonderful four-stateroom, four-head layout.

WHAT KINDS OF FISHING OPTIONS CAN I HAVE ON A VIKING?

The only thing better for today's billfish angler than a Viking would be to have multiple Vikings! A Viking yacht's cockpit is larger than the competition's, meaning you have more room for a fighting chair, extra rod-holders, and room for the crew to move around in the heat of battle. From raised transom live wells to in-deck insulated fish boxes to the multiple tackle storage spaces, Viking knows what anglers want thanks to the time spent fishing their own boats on the tournament circuit.

What Kind of Resale Value Will My Viking Have on the Pre-Owned Market? Late-model, well-equipped Viking yachts that have been professionally maintained often do quite well on the brokerage market. Some used Vikings have even been sold before making it online for the full asking price. Pre-owned Vikings do tend to hold their value very well and often sell in a six-month time frame.

Of course, listing your Viking boat with a reputable dealer that offers outstanding marketing is imperative to getting it sold quickly and for the most money possible. Our network at SI Yachts is very deep, since we've been a dealer for so long. We also invest substantially in marketing our clients' yachts through YachtWorld, Google, email marketing, social media, and a variety of other tactics. If you are a Viking owner and wish to find out what your yacht might be worth, give us a call today at (718) 984-7676.

UPDATE ON PRE-OWNED VIKING YACHTS MARKET

The team at SI Yachts are experts are listing and selling your pre-owned Viking. Our Diamond listing program ensure your boat is priced right and is marketed to sell. There are currently 306 pre-owned Viking Yachts for sale on the brokerage market today and 199 Vikings that have been sold in the last 12 months. (Updated: February 2024)

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE VIKING YACHT COMPANY?

In 1964, brothers Bill and Bob Healey first set their sights on Peterson-Viking Builders, a struggling boat-builder in New Jersey. The Healey brothers had great aspirations, but no one expected that the small company that built 37-foot wooden sportfishing boats would become the iconic Viking Yacht Company that would lead the industry. Six decades later, boat-building has changed a lot, having gone through the evolution of fiberglass hulls and a litany of other improvements, but the popularity of Viking has never wavered.

In 1971, the builder released its first fiberglass model, the 33 Convertible. While this was the beginning of the Viking story, it wasn't until a year later, when the Viking 40 Convertible made its debut, that the success of the Viking Yacht Company would really take off. Over the next 15 years, Viking would go on to sell more than 600 of the 40-to-41-foot models. Continuing with their creed of "Building a better boat every day," Viking continuously made improvements to the living areas on board as well as the engine performance and horsepower.

Perhaps one of the hardest times at Viking would come in the early 1990s, which would see both a nationwide recession and the federal luxury tax that would damage the entire boating industry for years to come. Decimated by the economic conditions, Viking lost the majority of its workforce but was able to barely stay afloat because the Healeys invested their own money as well as borrowing extra capital. The Healeys joined the fight against the luxury tax and were instrumental in getting it repealed. Boat-buyers returned to the market in droves once the tax was lifted, and Viking was poised to reap the rewards. By keeping its doors open during those hard years, Viking was able to improve its models during this time while other boat-builders just stayed with the status quo, giving them an advantage once the market returned.

In 1995, Viking partnered with Princess Yachts in Great Britain to create Viking Sport Cruisers, a company that would distribute high-quality cruising yachts that ranged from 33 to 88 feet and were built to Viking's specifications through its strong dealer network in the U.S. Today, Princess is one of the top brands of cruising yachts in North America and sits alongside Viking as one of the most prestigious brands in the industry.

In 1996, the Healeys decided to give back to the sportfishing industry that had made them so successful over the years by creating the Recreational Fishing Alliance, or RFA. This nonprofit organization was founded to protect and promote sustainable fisheries so that generations of families would be able to continue fishing and enjoying the ocean. Viking contributed more than $1 million over the years to the organization, which would transfer its assets to the American Sportfishing Association in 2023.

Between 2002 and 2003, several very important changes in the history of Viking would occur that would improve Viking's control over its quality and the way it serviced its customers. The impetus was the realization that many customers were snowbirds, people who migrated from the Northeast to Florida and back every year, often making the trek on their boats. Florida is also blessed with some of the best offshore fishing in the world thanks to its proximity to the Gulf Stream. Because so many Viking yacht owners were living either full- or part-time in Florida, Viking opened up a service center in Riviera Beach. The Viking Service Center has gone through many improvements over the years and can now handle both in-water work and land storage for larger projects.

In an effort to improve the quality of the electronics, components, and towers that were put on their sportfishing boats, Viking also opened two new companies, Atlantic Marine Electronics (AME) and Palm Beach Towers (PBT). By having the high-end electronics packages and towers installed at the factory, Viking could better control the quality as well as the costs for its owners.

Viking continuously looks to improve its facilities and its equipment in an effort to lead the industry in design, technology, and the evolution of its sportfish and motor yachts. In 2004, Viking purchased a $1 million computer-operated five-axis profiler milling machine that is capable of cutting parts measuring 60 feet by 20 feet by 10 feet; it's the largest of its kind. The new milling machine helped Viking produce larger, newer models like the 74 Convertible. A decade later, Viking would celebrate its 50th anniversary with the unveiling of its largest sportfishing yacht to date, the 92 Convertible.

Today's CEO and president of the Viking Yacht Company is Patrick Healey, but he didn't come into the business starting at the top. In 1976, Patrick Healey was hired on and would be groomed to be the second generation of Viking management, which meant starting from the bottom and learning everything about how each boat is built. Healey continues to lead the company and will for the foreseeable future, but sons Justin and Sean have also begun taking roles at Viking, hoping to become the third generation of Healeys to lead Viking to unrivaled success in boat-building.

While the years have seen competitors come and go, Viking yachts have been a mainstay in the marine industry, and the company continues to lead the way in technology, quality, and customer satisfaction. There simply is no semi-custom sportfish and motor yacht builder that is able to produce the same volume at the highest possible quality than the Viking Yacht Company.

Written by Rob Bowman

Also written or edited by Rob Bowman: 41 Ships, Boats, and Yachts From Pop Culture , All About Viking Ships , The 20 Most Expensive Yachts , The U.S. State With the Most Boats and Yachts

FURTHER READING :

• Fire Up The Bite With These Viking Yachts For Sale
• How Much Does An 80 Foot Viking Cost?
• How Much Does A 75 Foot Viking Yacht Cost?
• How Much Does A 70 Foot Viking Cost?
• How Much Does A 50 Foot Viking Cost?
• Is Viking A Good Yacht?
• Viking 64 Convertible: A Sportfish Evolved
• Viking Announces The New 90
• We Can Sell Your Viking Faster
• Viking 72 Convertible: Battle-Tested

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