Viking's Latest and Largest

Viking Yachts has launched its largest sportfisherman to date, an 82-footer destined to prowl the deep.

This battlewagon sports more than 21 feet of beam and 235 square feet of cockpit space, which includes mezzanine seating. Her girth enables the builder to provide a wide-open saloon with teak joinery throughout the interior. There's an L-shape here with stowage below as well as a 52-inch plasma TV, which rises from cabinetry on the starboard side. In addition, galley countertops are all done in granite. The 82 features four staterooms, plus a private crew quarters.

Other features include cockpit misters, built-in under-mount freezers, tackle and gear stowage, insulated fiberglass livewells, fish wells, and stowage, all of which are equipped with stainless steel gas strut supports.

The flying bridge has a center helm console, which is outfitted with three Murray Products ladderback helm chairs. Steering is power-assisted hydraulic with electronic engine controls and trolling valves.

The Viking 82 Convertible is powered with MTU Series 2000 diesels and should cruise around 30 knots (34.5 mph) and a top end around the mid-30-knot range (40 mph).

The Mighty Viking

Here she is. Viking Yachts' latest and largest convertible sportfisherman to date, an 82-footer, is well on her way to being a completed boat. This vessel is sure to do some adventure angling to all the around-the-world hotspots in short order. The boat is slated to be powered with MTU Series 2000 diesels and should see a mid-30-knot top end speed with a comfortable 30-knot cruise. She also sports 235 square feet of fish-fighting cockpit space and should be available for viewing at the fall boat shows. Stay tuned for a PMY test of this behemoth battlewagon.

HMY-Viking Megadock Tournament 2008

It's never too early to plan next season's angling events. If you're into big-game fishing and plan on being around the Charleston, S.C., area in early July, the HMY-Viking Megadock Billfish Tournament should be on your to-do list. This three-day event is limited to 75 boats, and prize payouts will total more than $400,000. If you enter the Megadock prior to January 31, 2008, you'll pay the 2007 entry fee rate. The final day to register (if the 75 boat limit has not been reached), is June 12, 2008. Last year, the tournament reports, there was a 45-day wait list to get into this event.

Viking 60 Convertible Debuts at Lauderdale

Hold on to your hats because this 60-footer from fishing-focused boatbuilder Viking Yachts is expected to hit 40-knots-plus (46 mph) with optional twin 1,825-hp Caterpillar C32 ACERTS (2/1,550-hp MANs are standard). The vessel's performance and her striking profile should be a favorite among hardcore tournament anglers. That, and perhaps 170 square feet of fish-fighting space, a stylish cockpit mezzanine, a massive bait freezer, which will keep a season's worth of 'hoo on at the ready, a 40-gallon livewell, 53-gallon in-transom fishbox, and much more. An enclosed-bridge version of the 60 will also be available. You can check her out at the Viking display at Bahia Mar during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which starts on Thursday, October 25.

Big Weather + Big Seas = Beat Up Boat

Me and the crew onboard the 43 Viking, Blinky III, had just finished fishing the White Marlin Open. We thought it would be good to head home from Ocean City, Maryland, to Long Island, New York, one day early in order to beat some bad weather heading south. The trip home would run 155 miles, and with east winds not predicted to go over 15 knots, our 45-degree heading (once we passed Manasquan, NJ) at 24 knots would have us home in about six or so hours.

Well, the crew was in good spirits as the first 136 miles passed uneventfully with the iPod cranking and memories of the weeklong fishing trip already growing into tall 'tails'. Then the radar lit up the deepest red I've ever seen. It expanded out 24 ugly miles from its center. This was a big thunderstorm moving from the west, which was about to collide with an increasing wind from the east. Our problem: The only place we could go was through the thinnest band in the middle. The storm was moving too slow to wait it out and the east wind was picking up to 25-plus (not predicted). We decided to proceed slow and steady.

The second we crossed into the red zone, we were smacked with a qualified gale on the beam. For the next three hours we slugged our way through 30-35-knot-plus winds, rain, and eight- to 10-foot vertical walls of water smashing down on Blinky. The waves were hitting hard enough to actually push water through the ziplock-tight zippers in the isinglass. It was getting a bit hairy. The vessel literally slid down a couple of larger waves as our speed slowed to four and five knots. The 36,000-pound boat was being tossed like a salad.

We managed to get a call to land to confirm our float plan with a family member, and kept on a 30-minute call schedule to confirm our position. Life jackets were brought out and a secondary life raft was made ready just in case.

Luckily, with four experienced crew onboard and a sturdy boat beneath, we crawled through the storm with little more than some bruised bodies and one more war story to tell.The power of the wind and storm was evidenced in what remained of our brand-new ensign. Old glory had gone from a wonderfully double-stitched expression of freedom to straggly and sad-looking strands of thread in less than 20 miles of heavy wind and big seas.

Miami International Boat Show Attendees Party with Power & Motoryacht

The 2007 Miami International Boat Show proved the perfect place to select a new yacht—and to relax with the staff of Power & Motoryacht magazine. On February 17, Power & Motoryacht, along with Viking Yachts, Galati Yacht Sales, HMY Yacht Sales Florida, and real estate brokerage firm The Bentley Sales Group, brought some much needed leisure time to 600 guests.