Well, with the flu in tow I flew to Florida to the Viking Yacht center in West Palm Beach on Thursday.  Was I glad that I went...  Vikings Yacht Center is a first class facility that completes rigging on new Vikings (Towers, electronics, etc.) as well as service of any brand of boat.  This annual VIP event has been going on for about 15 years now, it's a great opportunity for Viking VIP to see the boat and drive them on a much more intimate basis prior the the world's biggest boat show coming up in 2 weeks.  The Miami international boat show.







This year did not disappoint as the excitement of 3 brand new models had my blood pumping.  The first is the new 46, as I walked down the dock and seen her for the first time.  My first impressions were...she is big for a 46, then I thought maybe she looks small???  I could not make up my mind, she was so sleek in all angles that makes her seem small.  But once on board, she is a very large 46!  46 is a "mini-mini-me", she is the newest of all "new generation Vikings" starting with the all new best in class 60, then the 50, the 82, and now the 46.  All these hulls are scaled versions of the same hull design as my boat (Badger), fast and agile and incredibly soft.  We put on 1300 hours of hard fishing in 8 months with no isinglass, try that with another boat...  the new hull is a great innovation.

At 1pm on Friday, with the rain and wind this day in Florida.  I head out on the Atlantic on the 46, she was quiet with the Man 1100, she accelerated like a sports car without the transom digging in (very similar to our 60), she was soft and cruised at 28 knots sipping 70 GPH, top speed on the GPS was 37 in a 2 to 3 foot sea.  We also stopped in the slop and noticed her great balance, we backed her down...wow!  As much as I love the Rybo (Nai'a), I could not help imagining this boat in Kona.  This 46 is born to fish, that's what she is designed for.  Along with a luxurious interior featuring a open island galley and a mid ship master.  I was impressed...  The express 46 version will be out later this year.











46 specs...

46' CONVERTIBLE SPECIFICATIONS

Length Overall (LOA): 46 ft.11 in. (14.30 m)
Beam: 16 ft. 6 in. (5.03 m)
Draft: 4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)
Gross Weight*: 54,120 lbs. (24,548 kg)
Fuel Capacity: 870 gals. (3,293 liters)
Water Capacity: 150 gals. (568 liters)
Cockpit Area: 121 sq. ft. ()
* Standard Fuel Load




Next is the new Viking 57, filling the gap in the awesome Viking current line up between the super agile 54 and the awesome 60.  The 57 is a new stud as it fits very nicely in between these models.  I often am amazed at the Viking Yacht company, not only is Viking the largest production sportfisher company--they continue to move the needle by never settling on the past.  Even with a market share of about 30% with over 100 sportfishers built each year in the last few years, they continue to make the investment in new technology, new models, new molds, and new designs.  Bob and Bill Healy (both in their young 80's) are inspirations to me, their drive, work ethic, and competitive nature is why Viking is successful.  Every time I spend time with Bob and Bill, I get even more inspired.  These guys are self made and want to win, period.  I'll need to post some of the stories they tell me about their youth, Bill was a boxer for many years fighting out of Philly.  At 80, he probably can still kick my rear....  Bill's son Pat now runs the day to day operations at Viking, the apple did not fall far from the tree.  Pat is another ball of energy that is continuing the tradition at Viking of "Building a better boat everyday"...  Ok, back to the 57.  This hull is the same as the 56, but with updates to the house, interior, cockpit, etc.  Although this hull is not the new generation, it was (my opinon) the best riding hull of this class.  The 57 is also available in an enclosed bridge version.







57' CONVERTIBLE SPECIFICATIONS

Length Overall (LOA): 57 ft. 10 in. (17.63 m)
Beam: 18 ft 2 in. (5.54 m)
Draft: 4 ft. 11 in. (1.50 m)
Gross Weight*: 78,960 lbs. (35,816 kg)
Fuel Capacity: 1,511 gals. (5,720 liters)
Water Capacity: 240 gals. (908 liters)
Cockpit Area: 157 square ft. ()
* Standard Fuel Load

POWER OPTIONS

MAN V12 1360CRM: 1360MHP
MAN V12 1550CRM: 1550MHP

Viking Yachts current line up is unmatched in the industry.  I am so impressed by Viking, that not only did I buy the boat...I bought the dealership.  I believe in Viking and the Healy family.  We now have the 42, 45, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 57, 60, 64, 68, 74, and now the unbelievable and a new class in sportfishing boats...the 82!

Ok, I'm forever changed about large convertibles.  I've been on previous 70 footers, the big boats feel big and none responsive.  As I walked on the 82, the size of her was more than I thought, with her full beam master, 5 staterooms total (with 2 VIP beds and 2 bunk rooms), the bridge has a own zip code even with the dinette forward on the bridge, the visibility was surprisingly good.  I along with everyone there was in awe of this new class/league of a super yachts.  But how does she run and handle?  Everyone that loves boats should ride this boat, just so you can appreciate the innovation, I would have never thought about a boat of this size feeling like it did.  I would have never thought about running a boat of this size for tournaments, but I'm a changed man now.  Good thing we are in  a soft economy, otherwise I would be buying one and fishing in it for next year.  Hear that Lass...  No captain wants to be in an 82 for tournaments, but Steve, wait until you ride this monster.  She spins as good as any other 60 footer, with a 40 HP bow thruster in the throttle handles, she can dance!  Cruises at 32 knots and tops out at 37, she ate up the 3 foot seas with her proud running angle.  Man, this boat's got attitude.  Just look at her...  Viking has sold 17 of this boat prior to splashing hull number 1, now I know why.  Bummer none of the 17 will be in the Pacific, us on the left coast just don't have the new boat fever that the gulf and east coast consumers do...but that will change in time.  Everyone likes new and the best.  Its about personal justification, no one needs a boat...any boat, a boat is a luxury item that will bring joy to the owners life.  What's that worth?

There is a new video of the 82 from Viking that I'm trying to get a copy to lead to this site, then you will see what I'm talking about.  This boat defines a new class of convertibles.. Can't wait to get one!













82’ CONVERTIBLE SPECIFICATIONS

Length Overall (LOA): 83' 5" (25.30 m)
Beam: 22' 4" (6.71 m)
Draft: 5' 6 (1.52 m)
Gross Weight*: 162,250 lbs. (73,595 k)
Fuel Capacity: 3,000 gals. (11,356 ltrs)
Water Capacity: 450 gals. (1,703 ltrs)
Cockpit Area: 255 sq. ft. (NA)
* Standard Fuel Load





POWER OPTIONS




CAT C32A: 1825MHP: $5,279,285* 

MTU Series 2000-V16 M91: 2030MHP: $188,000 NET* 

MTU Series 2000-V16 M93: 2400MHP: $461,000 NET*


Steve and I will be back in Florida in 2 weeks at the Miami show, I'll post on updates.  see you on the water or at Miami...