For angling enthusiasts, Seattle Yachts currently has Norden Dame, a Viking Yachts 44 Convertible, listed for sale at $1.65 million. The 2019 build has a two-stateroom, two-head layout with accommodations to sleep up to five.

Vikings are built to fish, and with Norden Dame it starts in the dance-floor-size,119-square-foot cockpit. This 44-foot fishing machine is rigged with angling amenities such as Rupp outriggers, an in-deck freezer, an Eskimo ice maker and a transom box, plenty of space to stow your yellowfin and bigeyes. The cockpit’s mezzanine seating gives the crew a nice perch to keep an eye on the trolling spread. This sportfisherman’s primary mission is fishing, but add a few loose chairs and a table to the cockpit and there’s alfresco dining for family and friends.

Inside, the salon creates a relaxing scenario after a day on the salt with an L-shaped sofa and ottoman to starboard with a bar and bench seats forward. Another L-shaped sofa is to port with a fixed table and flat-screen TV.

Forward and to starboard is a galley-down arrangement. which has a sink, stowage, a refrigerator, a freezer, a microwave and an electric cooktop for easy meal prep for a hungry tournament crew.

Belowdecks, the master stateroom is to port with a queen berth and an en suite head. The guest stateroom has over-under bunks and access to the head aft.

Power for this Viking 44 Convertible is twin 1,000 hp Volvo Penta D13 diesels, which give Norden Dame a 38-knot top hop and a cruise speed of 33 knots. The engines currently have just 300 hours on them.

The yacht has Garmin electronics, including two 7612 Displays, a 25 kw radar, sounder, an AIS transceiver and autopilot. There’s also an Airmar PM411C LWM transducer, a Furuno RD 33, two Icom 506 VHFs, a Fusion stereo system with four JL speakers, two subwoofers and two amplifiers, a SeaKeeper SK6 gyrostabilizer and a FLIR M232 thermal camera.

From the Archive: Viking Yachts 44 Convertible Impresses

“Last February in Miami Viking debuted its new 44 Convertible, and the pocket-sized sportfish wowed the crowds. The boat is highly versatile, and can be kitted out to be tournament ready, or simply act as a speedy and stylish two-stateroom cruiser.

The 44C comes on the tail of the 44 Open, and shares many of the same attributes, particularly when it comes to a smooth ride and quick acceleration out of the hole. However, since the yacht is a convertible, it expands upon the Open’s creature comforts, and has a true salon and a luxurious interior that make her even better for spending time on board, particularly if you want to do overnights or cruise where weather is regularly inclement.” – Yachting, 2018

Where is Norden Dame located? The yacht is currently lying in Palm Beach, Florida.

Take the next step: contact the listing agent, Glenn Runyan, 954-797-0030, seattleyachts.com

Quick Specifications:

• Length Overall: 44’
• Maximum Beam: 16’4”
• Fuel Capacity: 825 gallons
• Draft: 4’

The post Viking Yachts 44 Convertible For Sale appeared first on Yachting.

Article At-A-Glance

• The 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show will be held Oct. 25-29.
• More than 100,000 visitors are expected to attend FLIBS in 2023.
• More than 1,300 boats are typically on display for attendees to check out.
• Some yacht-builders with new-for-2023 models include Benetti, Azimut, Wally, Princess, Sirena, Sunseeker, Galeon, Sunreef, Maritimo, Aquila, Viking, Ocean Alexander and Rivera.

New Yachts from European Builders

Benetti and Azimut will be bringing their Italian-built yachts to the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, while the Ferretti Group’s Wally brand will be present with its Monaco-based flair. Benetti will display the 112-foot Oasis 34M Ubiquitous, while Azimut will be showing four models in the United States for the first time, and Wally will be featuring the wallywhy150.

Benetti Oasis 34M Ubiquitous

The Benetti Oasis 34M Ubiquitous is scheduled to make its US debut at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. This is a 112-foot fiberglass motoryacht with exteriors by RWD in Britain and interiors by the New York firm Bonetti & Kozerski. The stern on Ubiquitous has Benetti’s Oasis Deck, which includes two wings that open to enlarge the space. An infinity pool is here as well, and the space adjoins the main-deck salon to give guests the option of sun-drenched or shaded spaces for relaxation.

Also at the show: Benetti will showcase the B.Yond 37M Never Say Never Again. It’s a 121-foot motoryacht from architect Stefano Righini with an E-Mode Hybrid system from Siemens Energy. The idea is to reduce harmful emissions while giving owners the option of four operating modes, including a fully electric mode for zero-emissions cruising.

Four New Yachts from Azimut

Azimut will have four yachts making their Americas premiere at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show: the Verve 48 outboard, Magellano 60, Grande 36M and S7.

The Verve 48 outboard is a sport boat for weekends, designed in collaboration with Francesco Struglia. Its power is triple 600 hp Mercury outboards that promise a top speed of 50 knots. The stern has been updated from previous models; it now includes “the most extensive swim platform ever,” according to Azimut.

Crossover appeal is at the heart of the Magellano 60, with features intended for longer-distance cruising. For sustainability, the Azimut Magellano 60 can be delivered with HVOlution, a biofuel produced by Eni Sustainable Mobility. Azimut says this fuel, when combined with the shipyard’s semi-planing Dual Mode hull, can reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by more than 80 percent compared to yachts using traditional fuel.

With the Grande 36M, Azimut is showcasing a semi-walkaround upper deck that runs on the same level from the stern almost to the tip of the bow. The idea is to create an area that didn’t exist before on boats this size. Exterior design on the Azimut Grande 36M is by Alberto Mancini, with interiors by Achille Salvagni.

The Azimut S7 is a 72-foot yacht built with Volvo Penta IPS propulsion and a “super-lightweight” hull for a sporty ride. Azimut says the S7 also reduces fuel consumption and harmful emissions by as much as 30 percent compared to shaft-line boats with traditional chine hulls. Exteriors are by Alberto Mancini, with interiors by Yachtique.

wallywhy150

The wallywhy150 is also expected to be on display at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, following its international debut at the recent Cannes Yachting Festival in France.

This 78-foot motoryacht can be ordered with triple Volvo Penta IPS1350 engines for a maximum speed of 23 knots. With the standard Volvo Penta IPS1200s, that figure is 21 knots. Exterior spaces include a completely open upper deck with dining, sunbathing and a shaded lounge. Inside, there’s sole-to-ceiling glass for great views, with a main-deck master stateroom as well as guest staterooms belowdecks. The yacht can be ordered with a VIP and two guest staterooms, or with twin VIPs.

New Yachts from the UK, Turkey, Poland, Australia and China

Princess Yachts and Sunseeker International, both in the United Kingdom, will have new yachts at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Also from overseas will be new models from the Turkish builder Sirena Yachts, Polish builders Sunreef and Galeon, Australian builders Maritimo and Riviera, and China-based Aquila Power Catamarans and Ocean Alexander.

Princess Yachts Y95

The Princess Yachts Y95 is the new flagship of the builder’s Y Class series, which features open-flybridge models 72 feet and larger. This 95-footer can reportedly achieve a top hop of 24 knots, thanks to the twin 2,000 hp MAN V-12 engines, and it has a full-beam master stateroom on the main deck that lets in extra natural light through skylights. Guests are accommodated in four belowdecks staterooms. Draft is 6 feet, 6 inches, making the Princess Y95 a yacht that allows for access to the world’s most beautiful harbors.

Sunseeker Ocean 182

The Sunseeker Ocean 182, which was also displayed at the Newport International Boat Show, is an 88-foot yacht that is the fifth model in the builder’s Ocean series. It has an enclosed, air-conditioned flybridge that is home to the only helm station on board. Power is a pair of 1,650 hp or 1,900 hp MAN V-12s, with the builder promising a top speed of 27 knots. At a cruise speed of 12 knots, range is reportedly 1,800 nautical miles. All the guest accommodations are belowdecks: an amidships, full-beam master along with four guest staterooms.

Sirena 78

Turkish builder Sirena Yachts is bringing the Sirena 78 to the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Its design is by Cor D. Rover and Germán Frers, with the builder reporting a top speed of 27 knots as well as a cruising range of 1,550 nautical miles. Some of the key design features include a versatile flybridge with customizable spaces and sizable guest accommodations.

The Superpowered Princess X80

Princess Yachts is also bringing its X80 explorer motoryacht to the Fort Lauderdale show. Along with 31-knot speed and four en suite staterooms, the X80 has what the builder calls a “super flybridge.” Princess says this deck is 30 percent bigger than other flybridges on similarly sized flybridge yachts. This space has four gathering areas, including two sun pads forward, a wet bar aft and an L-shaped settee with a dining table to port. The X80’s main deck is dedicated entirely to socializing, with an L-shaped settee accompanied by a dining table forward.

Galeon 450 HTC

The big premiere from Galeon Yachts at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show will be the Galeon 450 HTC. It’s a Tony Castro design that can be ordered with an optional hydraulic swim platform and an optional third stateroom for guests. The standard layout is two staterooms with two heads, including a full-beam master. This yacht has a 4-foot, 3-inch draft that allows it to access skinny waters in locations like the Bahamas. Power is a pair of 480 hp Volvo Penta D6 engines.

80 Sunreef Power Eco

Polish builder Sunreef Yachts will be making a big show of the first 80 Sunreef Power Eco, which has been christened SÓL (after the Norse sun goddess). Sunreef is heralding this vessel as the most advanced electric luxury catamaran in the world, with a “solar skin” built into the hull, and the biggest battery bank in its category of recreational yachts. Accommodations are for eight guests

Maritimo M60 Flybridge Motor Yacht

Maritimo’s M60 Flybridge Motor Yacht will make its US debut at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Its hull has a variable deadrise with a deep keel, sharp bow entry and flattened progression aft, all intended for comfortable and efficient offshore cruising. Standard power is twin 800 hp Volvo Penta D13s. Owners also can opt for 1,000 hp Volvo Pentas or 1,150 hp Scania Di16s.

Riviera 585 SUV: Does It All

Riviera says its multi-uses 585 SUV represents the “culmination of 10 years of evolution and the launch of more than 220 SUV yachts.” The yacht has three staterooms and three heads with a full-beam master amidships. In addition to its cruising, water-sports and angling flexibility, the 585 SUV is entertainment-centric with its sizable cockpit and semi-enclosed alfresco deck. Power is a pair of 900 hp Volvo Penta IPS1200s or 1,000 hp Volvo Penta IPS1350s. For flybridge enthusiasts, the builder is also debuting its 46 Sports Motor Yacht.

Aquila 47 Molokai

Built in China, the Aquila 47 Molokai is the latest model from Aquila Power Catamarans. It’s outfitted for offshore cruising and fishing, with an en suite stateroom that’s air-conditioned and a queen-size berth. The design and build are a collaboration of Sino Eagle Yachts and Peart Yacht Design.

Ocean Alexander 32 Legend: Crewed-Yacht Living

The Ocean Alexander 32 Legend is a 120-foot superyacht penned by Evan K. Marshall, notable for its sole-to-ceiling glass across three decks, allowing for ocean vista from most points on board. From its seaside beach club to its foredeck lounge, rest and relaxation is at the forefront of this yacht’s design. Off the cockpit, power doors slide away allowing guests to enter the open-plan salon, which benefits from the aforementioned glass, enabling light to flood the space. A formal dining space for 10 is forward in the salon. The sense of volume and openness is palpable. The 32L has a main-deck master suite as well as four guest staterooms belowdecks. This yacht also has a skylounge with a wet bar, a TV, an ice-maker and a refrigerator, expanding entertaining options. Other alfresco spaces include a hot tub aft on the upper deck and a foredeck with a sun pad. Power is twin 2,600 hp MTU diesels.

Riviera 46 Sports Motor Yacht

Riviera’s 46 Sports Motor Yacht is a part of a lineup that also includes 50, 64 and 72 Sports Motor Yachts. The Australian builder collaborated with 4D Designs on the 52-footer, which has a variety of entertaining spaces, from a semi-enclosed cockpit and the flybridge to the salon and foredeck sun pad. Belowdecks, there are three double-berth staterooms and two heads. Owners can also opt to add a hydraulic swim platform. Riviera has two power options for the 46: twin 725 hp Volvo Penta D11 IPS 950s or twin 600 hp Volvo Penta D8 IPS 800s.

Built in the USA: Viking 90

The Viking 90 made its official debut earlier this year at the Miami International Boat Show, but Hull No. 1 is still on its premiere-year tour. It’s been turning anglers’ heads out on the fishing circuit, hauling in big catch. All expectations are that it will continue to impress show-goers at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

Viking 90: Ultimate Fishability

The Viking 90 has a fuel capacity of 3,801 gallons in four tanks, which gives the yacht long legs for getting to and from the canyons to chase big game. It can be ordered with an enclosed or an open bridge, and it has a one-piece wraparound, enclosed-bridge windshield for improved visibility. The cockpit has 224 square feet of dance space with a 203-gallon fishbox/live well and a pair of 103-gallon insulated, in-deck fishboxes. Refrigeration on those fishboxes is optional. A Seakeeper 35 is installed to keep everything steady at sea, and the cockpit sole is built with reinforcement for a fighting chair.

Viking 90: Interior Creature Comforts

When the day’s fishing is done, the Viking 90 has six staterooms (including a full-beam master) and seven heads to let everyone relax in comfort. There’s a U-shaped lounge in the salon, along with a home theater that includes a 65-inch high-definition TV. For more casual snacks, the galley has engineered-stone countertops with an overhang and five bar stools, along with a dinette on an elevated platform for great views of the outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are expected to attend the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show?

In 2022, there were more than 100,000 show-goers. All expectations for 2023 are for a show equal to or even bigger than last year’s.

How many brands will be on display at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show?

At least 1,000, according to show organizers. More than 1,300 boats will be part of the show.

Is there a VIP Experience available at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show?

Yes. Participants have access to the Windward VIP Club with premium open bars and gourmet food. The VIP Experience also comes with complimentary water-taxi service for getting around the show’s seven locations.

What are the seven locations for the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show?

Show locations include the Broward County Convention Center, the Bahia Mar Yachting Center, the Hall of Fame Marina, Las Olas Marina, the 17th Street Yacht Basin, Pier 66 Marina and the Superyacht Village at Pier 66 South.

Where can I sign up for updates about the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show?

The organizers are collecting email addresses for show updates at flibs.com

The post New Yachts to See at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show appeared first on Yachting.

Viking Yachts built 21 of its 92-foot convertibles in less than seven years, so the New Gretna, New Jersey, boatbuilder knew there was strong demand for supersize sport-fishermen. But a pending change in emissions regulations involving selective catalytic reduction would have forced the addition of costly, heavy equipment to the engine rooms, decreasing performance and efficiencies. As a result, Viking ceased production on its 92-footer (and its 93 Motoryacht) and developed a 90-foot convertible that would fall just under the required size for the rule.

Now, that Viking Yachts 90 has arrived. Hull No. 1 is a Sky Bridge model in what the builder calls Kingston Grey. Convertible and Enclosed Bridge versions are also available, with at least seven more hulls in production or ready for the molds as of this writing.

When I stepped up to the 24-foot-high perch on the Sky Bridge, I felt like I could almost see the Earth’s curve. Triple multifunction displays and twin covered consoles for radios and switches flanked the Palm Beach faux-wood helm. The Sky Bridge also offers a great vantage point for eyeing baits behind the boat.

Below, at the enclosed bridge’s helm, five multifunction screens wrap toward the captain’s position, creating a true glass-helm setup. Every navigation, fishing and operational function can be monitored here. There’s room under the screens for additional engine monitors and radios, as well as space on the console for more electronics. To aid the skipper’s visibility, the forward windshield is one piece until it reaches the corners. There are three beefy wipers, and no mullions to block the view. Flanking the captain’s chair are two double bench seats so guests can also enjoy the commanding views.

Running to and from the fishing grounds can take time—well, not too long at a 33-knot cruise speed—but for those longer runs, this yacht’s all-weather enclosed bridge provides the comforts of home. This space has the same high-gloss walnut woodwork, fabrics and features found throughout the yacht. Dual fridge drawers are in an end table, reducing trips to the galley. An L-shaped settee with a wood coffee table is to port, and an interior curved staircase is nestled into the after corner, leading to the main deck.

One might think that getting a 90-foot yacht up to speed would take a minute. Not so. Hull No. 1 is powered with optional twin 2,635 hp MTU 16V 2000 M96L diesels, which provide a 38.2-knot top hop and the aforementioned 33-knot cruising speed, with a range of approximately 600 nautical miles. Standard powerplants are twin 1,925 hp Caterpillar C32A diesels.

In addition to having solid speed, this hefty 90-footer (with its 193,000-pound displacement) is nimble and responsive to wheel input in real time. Backing down, the 90 runs true and is agile, with the ability to spin in any direction on a dime. I noted limited splash and overflow into the cockpit as we ran several backing-down scenarios.

As I stepped into the main salon off the dual-level mezzanine, my eye was drawn to the wraparound galley to starboard. It has a backlit stone countertop and every appliance needed for formal meals or pre-fishing snacks: a four-burner electric cooktop, Sub-Zero fridges and freezers, and a dishwasher. Five fixed stools ring the L-shaped counter for casual dining with family and crew.

The 42-by-78-inch dining table to port is on a raised platform with an artfully crafted walnut-veneer centerpiece. An opposing walnut band separated by polished chrome inlays is ringed by high-gloss black paint.

Guests can relax after dinner in the U-shaped settee aft and to port, across from the 65-inch HDTV. Walnut and teak woods add a warm feeling to the interior spaces. Ultraleathers and fine fabrics are used on furnishings to create seating that’s soft, supple and tough to leave.

Outside is a serious setup for angling aficionados. The 224-square-foot cockpit (same size as on the Viking 92) is ready for battle with mammoth-size marlin, thanks to a fighting chair, a rocket launcher, a table or some other combination of an owner’s choosing. Twin 103-gallon in-deck refrigerated fish boxes can keep the bigeye cold, and a 203-gallon transom livewell is ready for the baits to stay frisky.

Many times, sport fishing is a spectator sport, and the Viking 90 accounts for that. The two-tiered mezzanine has three areas that allow the crew to keep an eye on the spread and for guests to watch the action. The lower section has a sofa on centerline. The upper area has an L-shaped settee to port with a teak table, and there is a cushioned bench to starboard. The latter two spaces are under the flybridge overhang, protected from the elements. Under each seat is stowage, either for fishing gear or cold drinks. Backrest air conditioning is available in the seating.

There is also a dedicated watertight hatch in the deck for a Seakeeper 35, allowing for easy maintenance or equipment swap-outs.

The Viking Yachts 90 Sky Bridge is an impressive vessel. All at once, it’s a bluewater-ready sport-fisher that can chase pelagics around the planet, a tournament contender that can accommodate a sizable crew, and a true yacht that offers a high level of luxury and relaxation when the day’s fishing is done.  

The Comfort Equation

According to Viking, each of the 90’s five guest staterooms and the crew quarters were analyzed inch by inch to maximize functionality. An elegantly appointed full-beam master stateroom is amidships with a king berth, a Jack-and-Jill head with a central shower stall, a vanity, a sofa, a maple-lined walk-in closet and a 65-inch TV. The forepeak VIP is en suite, with three more en suite guest staterooms between the VIP and the master. Crew quarters are aft.

The Hull Story

Enhanced lifting strakes, redesigned prop pockets and refined driveline components (custom struts and rudders) all add to the performance I experienced on board the Viking 90 Sky Bridge. Viking’s engineers got here via computational fluid dynamics that let them visualize the flow of water under the hull to optimize its form. This technology lets the builder’s team test multiple permutations much faster than traditional tank testing. 

Systems Management

The Viking 90 Sky Bridge’s power management and electrical controls are handled via an OctoPlex digital-switching system, which reduces wiring and allows for multiple displays throughout the yacht.

Take the next step: vikingyachts.com

The post Reviewed: Viking Yachts 90 Sky Bridge appeared first on Yachting.

Pat Healey, the president and CEO of Viking Yachts, minces no words about the situation facing owners of boats 35 feet and longer: “If this would go into effect, it shuts down boating on the whole East Coast from November 1 to anywhere from the middle of April to the end of May.”

He’s talking about a proposal from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that would impose a 10-knot speed limit along much of the coast for much of the year, as a way to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales. The highly controversial proposal has drawn the ire of recreational boating and fishing groups, which say the idea poses an existential threat to all recreational boaters.

Since the rule-making process began last summer, Healey and others have been trying to sound the alarm, as well as come up with a solution. Now, he says, they think they have one the government might like: a task force called Whale and Vessel Safety, or WAVES.

“Our objective is to go to NOAA and say, ‘Hey, we’re going to develop a way to track the whales: tagging them,’” Healey says.

The idea is to take the same technology already used to tag and track marlin, tuna and other species, and now apply it to whales—in a way that lets boaters see the whales on their plotters, just like they’d see an oncoming boat with an AIS signal. “You’ll be able to alter your course and avoid them,” Healey says.

The sport-fishing community has been most vocal about concerns with the government’s proposal. Madelyne Rowan, tournament director of the White Marlin Open, says about 40 percent of participating boats in that tournament are chartered. If those boats can’t operate normally the rest of the year, they’ll go out of business—along with all the tackle shops, fuel docks, marinas and other businesses that make up marine communities, ultimately affecting all kinds of boaters.

“A lot of people don’t understand the potential scope of the economic impact that this restriction will have,” she says.

Healey says it’s an uphill battle to get NOAA to listen, but he likes his odds with the task-force concept: “This is a sensible way to get all stakeholders involved, instead of having complete governmental overreach.”

What’s Likely to Happen Next?

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued its proposed rule on August 1. A public comment period was then held until October 31. As of this writing, NOAA was still reviewing all the comments it received. After that process is done, the agency can issue its final rule with or without changes, as early as this summer. At that point, federal legislation or lawsuits become options to try and overturn the rule.

No More Day Trips?

Sport-fishing boats like this one often zip out to the canyons and back in the same day. Their speed makes this possible. If they’re forced to slow to 10 knots, boaters say, there won’t be any time left for actual fishing.

The post Boat-Speed Restrictions May Be Coming appeared first on Yachting.

Viking Yachts made more than a few anglers happy with its Viking 92 model, delivering 21 of those boats to new owners in a span of seven years. But then, a few years ago, eco-minded regulations came into play that would have required additional equipment on board—equipment that was problematic in so many ways that the builder decided to design a new model instead, one that was just a bit smaller to avoid the regulatory size cutoff. That new sport fishing model is the 90C, which premiered at the Miami International Boat Show in February 2023. As of early April 2023, 16 of the 90Cs had already been sold.

“We designed it right under 24 meters,” says Pat Healey, president and CEO of Viking Yachts. “We took 13 inches out of the beam, 27 inches out of the length, we got it under 24 meters, and we gained outstanding performance. The boat cruises at 32, 33 knots, tops out at 38 full of fuel. We see 40 knots every day with it—that’s a big increase in speed over the 92. The 92 is an awesome, incredible boat, but this boat, it’s seven years of building 92s—everything we learned from doing that, we took it and put it into this boat.”

The 90C’s features include a 203-gallon transom fish box/livewell, a pair of 103-gallon insulated in-deck fish boxes (with optional refrigeration), a Seakeeper 35, and a cockpit sole that’s reinforced for a fighting chair, rocket launcher or table. Inside are six staterooms and seven heads, along with a full-size stackable washer and dryer.

Hull No. 1 of the 90C is being used as a demo boat on the tournament circuit. It was headed to the Bahamas as this issue went to press, with Healey pleased about its performance: “It just does things like a 70- or 80-foot boat, but you have the accommodations of a 92.” 

The post Viking’s New 90-Foot Sportfish Yacht appeared first on Yachting.

Feeling the command behind the wheel of a yacht is almost unmatched. The boat is under the control of the skipper, and where it goes is entirely up to who’s at the wheel. Whether you’re seeking a premium dayboat for the weekends, a flybridge model to feel the salt or a long-range cruiser, there’s something here for all on-the-water enthusiasts. Here are nine owner-operator yachts under 100 feet that are ready for a new season on the brine.

Maritimo M55

As we turned the bow north, the Maritimo M55 met 6- to 8-footers, with some 10s mixed in. Our captain, Shawn Minihan, didn’t hesitate when he pushed the throttles down. After that point, we regularly went astronaut (you know, totally weightless) on more than a few launchings at 20-plus knots.

The M55 was a rock, cleaving the seas even though we were sluiced with solid water onto the windscreen of the enclosed bridge. There was not a squeak or groan even though we were moving somewhere around 35 tons of yacht into the air and then back into deep, green-water valleys. — Chris Caswell, “Maritimo’s Sea-Tamer: the M55”

Jeanneau DB/43

Powered with a pair of 380 hp Volvo Penta D6 Duoprop sterndrives, the Jeanneau DB/43 I got aboard topped out at 32 to 33 knots at two-thirds load with 39 percent fuel, 100 percent water and seven people aboard. At a 25-knot cruise, the engines burned about 29 gph, which translates to a theoretical range of 170 nautical miles. At 8 knots, expect 340 nautical miles.

The yacht felt nimble at the wheel and turned tightly. The Michael Peters-penned hull form romped through the lively seas. Close-quarters maneuvering with the joystick was easy as well. These latest sterndrives and their electronic clutches are streets away from the old, clunky installations of the past. They slip in and out of gear smoothly. — Phil Draper, “Jeanneau’s DB/43 Reviewed”

Sunseeker Predator 65

Based on the same hull as its sistership, the 65 Sport Yacht, the Sunseeker Predator 65 has an even purer profile. It eliminates features such as the 65 Sport Yacht’s upper deck, extra stairs, and sports-fly setup with a low-slung driving position, and instead offers a sliding carbon-fiber-and-glass sunroof—which means a proper open-yacht vibe on the main deck. There’s also a foredeck terrace and various cockpit furniture choices, along with a swim platform that can combine with the garage to create a beach club. Suffice it to say, during the day, the outdoors is awesome. — Phil Draper, “Sunseeker Predator 65 Reviewed”

Absolute Yachts 56 Fly

It’s hard to give us more without sacrificing what we already have and want to keep, but that’s exactly what the Absolute Yachts 56 Fly has achieved. It falls in the boatbuilder’s lineup between this past year’s 60 Fly debut and next year’s 52 Fly, and it’s a yacht with serious personality. This Italian-built yacht is, as the builder says, all about charisma.

The 56 Fly has a snub-nosed bow and big windows forward that, to my mind, look like the eyes of a sea turtle. Those full-height picture windows to the sides benefit hugely from notched, cut-down bulwarks, as does the aft deck from the fretted quarter rail. These design elements are all about boosting the views out and underscoring the connection to the sea. — Phil Draper, “Reviewed: Absolute Yachts 56 Fly”

Beneteau Swift Trawler 48

For traditional trawler enthusiasts, the Beneteau Swift Trawler 48 offers a range of 1,300 nautical miles at a leisurely 6.7 knots, or 1,000 nm at 8 knots. Owners can run nonstop from New York to Miami or San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

And yet, with the twin 425 hp Cummins diesels on the Swift Trawler 48 that I got aboard (380 hp Cummins are standard), owners also can scamper for home at 26 knots, if foul weather threatens or reservations for dinner ashore are waiting.

In other words, yachtsmen can have the best of both worlds: range when wanted, speed when needed. — Chris Caswell, “Beneteau’s Swift Trawler 48 Reviewed”

Azimut Verve 42

Blasting off waves, the Azimut Verve 42 landed softly thanks to the 22.5-degree transom deadrise and Michael Peters hull form. Yes, there was spray, but most of it was thrown aside, courtesy of double strakes and a wide spray chine/rail. We were in flat water long enough to see a top speed of 45 knots, and then the Gulf Stream dictated our speeds while we occasionally pushed the envelope. — Chris Caswell, “Azimut Verve 42 Reviewed”

Viking Yachts 64 Convertible

The cockpit’s uncluttered layout is the result of thousands of hours of experience aboard other Vikings in big-game tournaments around the globe. The 64C I got aboard had a leaning post/rod holder that bolted into an aluminum backing plate laminated in the cockpit sole, with double-hatch fish boxes on each side. Abaft that, a rounded teak cap rail held a livewell. Overlooking the whole scene was a mezzanine for crew to keep an eye on the spread, along with tackle stowage and a cold box. This 64C also had a Dometic ice machine on the port side for chilling down the fish boxes. — Chris Caswell, “Reviewed: Viking Yachts 64 Convertible”

Hinckley Yachts 35

This 35-footer has notable speed, thanks in part to a pair of optional 350 hp Mercury outboards. The 35 I got aboard made 40 knots on the pins running at 6,000 rpm with a full load of fuel and a half-tank of water. This thoroughbred-level gallop burns 60 gallons per hour. At top speed—and considering a 10 percent fuel reserve—range is about 180 nautical miles. At 4,000 rpm and a 24-knot cruise speed, fuel burn plummets to 23.5 gph and range jumps to 276 nautical miles.

It’s admirable performance when you consider that those engines are pushing a boat displacing 13,174 pounds. Hinckley also offers Yamaha outboards, and the 35’s standard engines are twin 300s, from either Mercury or Yamaha. At press time, Hinckley had sold 15 hulls, and all the owners had picked the bigger engines, Bryant says. — Patrick Sciacca, “Hinckley Yachts 35 Review”

Riva 68 Diable

A pantograph-framed canvas awning protects most of the aft deck when desired. The whole space forms one big, open main-deck lounge, effectively seamless from the swim platform through to the helm console. As with the smaller Dolceriva and Rivale hardtops, the 68 Diable incorporates air-conditioning ducts, but there’s still plenty of headroom beneath—at least 6 feet, 6 inches. The cockpit furniture that isn’t optional is symmetrical on each side of a central corridor. Two L-shaped sofas extend along each side, with a dining table to port (this table could be specified to starboard instead, or on both sides). On Hull No. 1, this table is mahogany and inlaid with the Riva logo. It’s on a pedestal than can rise or drop at the flick of a switch, creating a day bed. A pop-up TV is abaft the observer bench to starboard. — Phil Draper, “Riva 68 Diable Review”

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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has proposed a 10-knot, speed-restriction rule for vessels 35 feet to 65 feet length overall across a broad swath of water along the East Coast in an effort to reduce right whale mortality from vessel strikes. If the rule is implemented, the impact on cruisers, fishermen and more, from Florida to New England could be measurable.

Timelines for these Seasonal Management Zones or SMAs would vary depending on location, but generally they’d be in effect starting in November and run until mid-April to late-June (see proposed SMA map), extending from coastal waters out to 100 nautical miles. NOAA says the effort is an expansion of an already-existing rule for vessels greater than 65 feet length overall.

According to NOAA, there have been 12 lethal right whale vessel strikes since 2008. Of those, five of the vessels have measured less than 65 feet in length. NOAA claims the total right whale population is about 350 with around 100 of those being female, adding that while a population increase occurred between 1990 to 2010, there has been a reproductive decline over the past decade, noting that entanglement in fishing gear has also added to population decline.

The proposed rule has created a strong reaction from the boating, fishing and boatbuilder community.

In a press release, Viking Yachts president Pat Healey stated, “This would be a devastating regulatory mandate. Right whale vessel strikes have just not been an issue for our industry. This is a classic example of government overreach.”

In a letter to NOAA about the proposed rule, Healey stated, “The health of the ocean and all its life is of paramount importance to our company and boat owners. However, we believe the magnitude of the proposed rule warrants careful consideration to ensure that a practical, enforceable and realistic plan is put forward to address the right whale population.”

Viking claims that since 1998 there have been 24 known right whale vessel strikes across 10 states. Of those, eight were attributed to boats from 35 to 65 feet.

According to the American Sportfishing Association, the odds of a vessel from 35 feet to 65 feet striking a right whale are less than one in a million.

The International Game Fish Association stated on its website that the rule “would cripple America’s outdoor economy along the East Coast.”

The proposed speed-restriction rule is open for public comment until October 31, 2022.

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Reel Deal Yachts has listed this 2020 72-foot Viking for sale at an asking price of $6,850,000.

The yacht is reportedly in mint condition with a Seakeeper stabilizer and only 850 hours on the generators. The twin MTU engines reportedly have 900 hours on them.

Cruising speed is said to be 32 knots, with a 45-foot top hop for getting out to the canyons faster than the other boats in the fleet.

For comfort out there or during cruising getaways, there are four staterooms and five heads on board.

Where is this Viking 72 located? It’s in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Take the next step: contact sales broker Marcos Morjain at reeldealyachts.com

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Most buyers of the Viking Yachts 64C are likely to be serious anglers, which is why the 180-square-foot cockpit is arranged for pelagic pursuits.

The cockpit’s uncluttered layout is the result of thousands of hours of experience aboard other Vikings in big-game tournaments around the globe. The 64C I got aboard had a leaning post/rod holder that bolted into an aluminum backing plate laminated in the cockpit sole, with double-hatch fish boxes on each side. Abaft that, a rounded teak cap rail held a livewell. Overlooking the whole scene was a mezzanine for crew to keep an eye on the spread, along with tackle stowage and a cold box. This 64C also had a Dometic ice machine on the port side for chilling down the fish boxes.

But great fishing setups aren’t the only thing Viking has experience building. Inside, the 64C has the same high-end fit-and-finish for which the brand has long been known.

The salon is accessed via electric sliders, and my first impression was one of volume, helped by the vessel’s nearly 19-foot beam. Not only did the side windows enhance this effect, but the straight passage to the guest staterooms allowed me to look unhindered from the cockpit to the forward VIP stateroom. Joinery was in walnut, with a choice of satin or high gloss, and the layout was simple, with an L-shaped settee to starboard around a walnut table. A pop-up 50-inch TV was to port.

Forward was the galley, with a raised bar above stone counters, as well as two stools so guests could chat with the chef. To port was a settee (raised 10 inches) around a dining table (with rod stowage underneath) that allowed a panoramic view at rest or while fishing. The chef had enough counter space to handle a hungry crew, and six undercounter fridge drawers for stowage. With tournaments in mind, there was also a freezer under the flybridge sun pad.

While this sport-fishing yacht is just under 64 feet in length overall, it has three en suite staterooms and a crew cabin that could be used by a guest.

The master stateroom is amidships with a queen-size island berth that has an innerspring mattress and walk-around space. Full-height, maple-lined hanging lockers fill the after bulkhead; a locker with bureau shelves is forward; and the en suite head has a 3-foot-wide shower to rinse off the heat of a day spent fishing.

Going forward, the passage hides a full-size washer and dryer and ends at the VIP stateroom forward, also with an innerspring queen berth. This walk-around berth is high (40 inches), and there’s an en suite head that has an oversize (28-by-9-inch) shower. A hanging locker and four drawers under the berth handle guest clothing. An optional layout splits the berth space in this stateroom, so you get a double berth and a bunk for extra crew.

Two more sleeping spaces are to port off the passage: a guest stateroom with twin berths, and a crew cabin with two bunks. The guest stateroom has the third en suite head with a shower. It serves as a day head and is used by the crew cabin. The crew spaces have the same fit-and-finish as the guest spaces.

The flybridge is reached via teak steps and reflects current Viking design thinking, with a streamlined console. A trio of Release ladder-back pedestal seats are abaft the black acrylic dash, with a trio of monitors and Bocatech switching. A drop-down overhead box has more electronics.

Three things stood out to me on the 64C’s bridge: the syrupy-smooth wood of the Palm Beach-style steering pod, with single-lever throttles on each side that make for easy control when facing aft; great visibility thanks to the lack of a Venturi windscreen forward; and hidden “glove boxes” with folding lids that conceal VHF radios and mics.

The fiberglass hardtop has a fold-down hatch to access the teaser reels, and the space is partially enclosed with hard side curtains. In each corner of the bridge are thoughtful amenities, including a sink and fridge. Molded into the helm console is a stretch-out lounge with armrests and a freezer underneath.

Viking also offers the 64C with an enclosed bridge, which moves the helm forward and creates an aerie with salon seating, stairs from the interior and a docking station on the aft deck.

Down below and aft, the engine room is accessed via a hatch in the cockpit, with a ladder providing access to all the systems, including a 21 kW Onan genset. There is 6-foot headroom and space between and abaft the diesels for service. Owners and service techs should have no problem with daily checks or repairs. Viking finishes the 64C’s bilge in snow-white Awlgrip, a durable urethane. Batteries are in custom fiberglass storage boxes, and a pair of battery chargers should keep them topped off.

The Seakeeper 26 is accessed through a lazarette hatch, which also leads to the pumps, steering and tabs.

A variety of power options including MAN, Caterpillar and MTU are available. The base package is a pair of 1,550 hp MAN V-12 diesels, and the options go up to twin 2,022 hp MTU M96X V-12 diesels.

The 64C I got aboard had the bigger motors, which topped the yacht out at 42 knots. Pushing down the two single-lever throttles resulted in a satisfying surge to full plane without requiring tabs to prevent bow rise. Viking Capt. Sean Dooley said he had recently brought the 64C back from a tournament in the Florida Keys, running at 80 percent power (2,100 rpm) and 36 knots. The boat consumed 152 gph, giving it a range (with a safety margin) of more than 380 nautical miles.

All Viking yachts benefit from the lessons learned with previous builds, and the 64C is no different. Some of the 64C’s hull refinements include modifying the chine angle from the 12-degree transom deadrise, softening the radius of the chine itself, and rearranging the strakes forward to further reduce spray. The results are faster planing, higher speed and better efficiency.

Once again, Viking has raised the bar not just on its own products but also on sport-fishers in general. Impeccably built, thoughtfully outfitted for fishing and with performance to satisfy, the Viking Yachts 64C is built by anglers and for anglers.

One Tough Beauty

The Viking 64C has a vinylester-resin hull that is vacuum-infused and should prevent blisters. Bulkheads and fuel tanks are resin-infused too, and the hull-to-deck joint is through-bolted every 3 inches. The mold work is impeccable, with the topsides and cabin unmarred by ripples. High-level Viking craftsmanship is evident everywhere, including in the finely mitered joints in the after corners. And, the 64C is the first Viking with matched grain woodwork throughout the salon and staterooms. Making this feature look right requires precise joinery techniques.

Towering View

The tuna tower on the 64C, made by Viking-owned Palm Beach Towers, is a 10-foot gap tower with 43-foot triple-spreader outriggers. It has a centerline helm with a Furuno color scanning sonar, a seat and a padded rail for three people.   

Stick Stowage

Every angler has a multitude of rods for various angling activities. The 64C provides stowage for a full quiver in a pullout drawer under the dinette, as well as inside lockers in the cockpit, which hold tag sticks and gaffs.

Take the next step: vikingyachts.com

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When Bob Healey Jr. thinks about his father’s life and all the man accomplished, he can’t shake one story in particular. It’s a tale that his father, Bob Healey Sr., told him about the company he had co-founded, Viking Yachts, and about what happened to some of the most successful boatbuilders, including Viking, after the federal government created a 10 percent luxury tax in 1991 that crushed businesses nationwide.

“He told me a story once of a woman who cleaned the office,” Healey Jr. recalled from near Viking’s headquarters in New Jersey this past December, just after his father’s death. “She had been there for 15 years—for a long time. They used to put a list up in the office of people who were going on furlough, on the Friday. My father was leaving one night very late, and as he walked out, she said: ‘Mr. Healey, will I have a job on Monday? I see what’s happening, and I have young children, and I’m really concerned.’ And he told her that he would do everything in his power to make sure it didn’t happen—and it was one of his greatest regrets, he always told me, that the woman got furloughed. The people who built the boats ended up cleaning the hallways because he needed to keep them to get the boats out.”

Healey Sr. and his brother Bill had co-founded Viking Yachts in 1964, and it took everything they had to keep the yard going during and immediately after that time. Healey Sr. took money out of his own pocket—mortgaging a family farm that he owned outright—to tool up new models, and he tirelessly lobbied lawmakers anywhere that he could get a meeting with them until the luxury tax was repealed 20 long months later, in 1993. By then, Viking’s staff had been slashed from 1,500 to 65 souls.

“Literally, the morning the tax got repealed, he called personnel director Drew Davala and said: ‘Give me the names of 10 people we can bring back on Monday. I’m coming back from D.C.,’” Healey Jr. says. “I saw him sacrifice his own well-being for others. It really drove home for me just how important the people who work with us are.”

Healey Sr.’s lobbying on behalf of the entire marine industry and boaters alike was relentless—a boat on a barge was even set on fire in Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay as a symbol of protest. Healey Jr. was still in grade school back then, but he recalls it being one of the first times in his life that he truly understood the depth of his father’s passion for the company he’d helped to build. Healey Sr. felt personally responsible for the employees who worked at Viking, just as he felt an obligation to do charitable work for people who needed help all throughout his life. He understood what it meant to be of service to others.

“He had traveled a lot for work, but this was different. He wasn’t coming home at night. He was in D.C. meeting with whoever he could,” Healey Jr. says. “My father’s legacy is not on the side of a Viking, and it’s not on a plaque in a school in an inner city, and it’s not on this farm where we do work with a lot of at-risk youth. His legacy is in the people that he touched and the ripple effect that he had on other people. He had this ability to find potential in people, and he had this force of will. I think that’s what people saw during the luxury tax. He could put pressure on people like squeezing a diamond out of coal.”  

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