Viking 90: Leading the Industry

 

The evolution of the Viking 90 exemplifies the way Viking overcomes challenges to continue building a better boat every day. The Viking 92 was a tremendous success, proving that such a large yacht could win consistently on the tournament trail. Viking delivered 21 boats in less than seven years, combining luxury yacht style with sportfishing prowess.

Viking would have continued production of the 92. But an international mandate required the installation of a bulky and potentially dangerous exhaust-treatment technology called Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). This would have increased cost and weight, reduced performance, hindered accessibility, compromised safety and demanded additional ventilation and onboard tankage. The technology to scale down SCR enough so that Viking could install it effectively simply did not exist yet. So Viking fought to extend an exemption that allowed manufacturers to develop SCR systems for a yacht of this size.

But without enough international support, the mandate went into effect. The U.S. Coast Guard, understanding that suitable engine and SCR technology was unavailable, announced in early 2021 a three-year suspension of the regulations in North America. “By that time, our design and engineering department was well underway with the development of the 90,” says President and CEO Pat Healey. “We were not going to be forced into installing SCR. With the new 90, we invested $20 million to develop a new flagship sportfishing yacht that does not require SCR. It was a costly decision but one that had to be made because it’s the best product for our owners.”

Adapt and Innovate

Viking focused on speed, performance and aesthetics. “To further understand the evolution of the 90 you have to go back to what we’ve done with the Viking 80 in our demo program,” says Pat.

Viking has put tremendous time, resources, engineering and effort into improving the performance of the 80. “Everything from lightweight interior woods to advanced propulsion systems have been developed in anticipation of the 90—to prove out theories, systems and procedures,” says Pat. “With our last three 80 demos, we’ve gone from a 40.5-knot boat to a 43.5-knot boat, picking up three knots over the course of three different 80s. We’ve been able to make these tremendous strides because we have the best team in the business. The development of the 80 and the 90 are excellent examples of how we can rise to the occasion to adapt and innovate.”

Viking took what it learned from the 92—and other recent models—and applied that knowledge to the 90.

“We built 21 of them, and through that process we had quite a few owners, captains and mates give us a lot of feedback,” adds Pat. “We took all that feedback and put it into the 90 to make it one incredible design—and that’s why we’re very excited to show everyone this boat. It’s going to be something special.”

State-of-the-Art Specifications

The new flagship will have the latest lifting-strake design, a refined driveline and prop pockets along with the advanced propulsion systems. To optimize performance, the team utilized Computational Fluid Dynamics, software that allows the team to analyze pressure distribution, study trim angle and trim tab effectiveness and modify strakes and chines to increase running efficiency.

The 90 will hold 3,801 gallons of fuel (standard) in four tanks. She’ll certainly feature the latest technology from stem to stern, “but we’re focused on making these systems easier to operate and service,” says Pat. (See accompanying article, “Mechanically Speaking.”)

Viking has taken all the advantages, refinements and improvements made in previous models and applied them to the Viking 90. Specifically, this project made use of lighter interior materials, carbon fiber and Light Resin Transfer Molding.

The Viking 90 also features a streamlined build process for the enclosed bridge and open bridge, saving on weight and improving building efficiency while lowering the overall profile for a sleek visual appeal. To that end, two large insert dams rest within, one that gives the deck of the enclosed bridge a flat walking surface and the other that incorporates crown (needed for drainage) in the open bridge. Other notable developments include a one-piece wraparound enclosed bridge windshield that enhances visibility.

Cockpit

The cockpit measures 224 square feet, with a 203-gallon transom fishbox/live well and a pair of full-length 103-gallon insulated in-deck fishboxes (with refrigeration optional). A single hatch on centerline (with optional electric actuation) provides access to the Seakeeper 35, a watertight design introduced with recent Viking 80 demonstrator boats. The cockpit sole is built with reinforcement for a fighting chair, rocket launcher or table.

Lower Mezzanine

There will be three aft-facing seating areas between the lower and upper mezzanines. “What we learned from the 92 was that the majority of our owners wanted to be seated so they could look aft—that’s where all the action is on a Viking sportfishing boat,” says Viking Design Manager David Wilson. The cockpit and dual mezzanine bring a slew of features for comfort, visibility and fishability. The business end, which boasts the same fore/aft length of the 92’s cockpit, is also equipped with port and starboard storage lockers under the gunwales for gaffs and other accessories.

The lower observation mezzanine’s centerline lounge seat (with optional air conditioning in the backrest) has excellent visibility aft and direct access to the cockpit. This seating module also holds tackle cabinets on each side. A series of lower mezzanine insulated boxes provide freezer and refrigeration storage. On centerline, you have an engine room access gate and lid. Outboard, you’ll find storage and cooler boxes in the lower mezzanine steps. Staircases on each side lead to the upper mezzanine. Outboard handrails—each with two rod holders—provide safe passage to the area, which is covered by the deckhouse overhang.

Upper Mezzanine

The upper mezzanine’s port side is home to an L-shaped aft-facing lounge with a teak table. On the starboard side, there’s a versatile cooking and refreshment hub (with an additional aft-facing seat) that can be personalized to the owner’s liking with a grill and icemaker or refrigerator. The bench seat holds a pull-out drawer for footwear or other types of storage. The armrests in the upper mezzanine seats have integrated storage compartments with friction-hinge lids, and an optional fold-down 43-inch HD TV can be integrated into the aft overhang on centerline. The grabrail on the mezzanine backrest holds a row of rod holders but does not interfere with the view aft.

Salon and Galley

The goal with the Viking 90 was to provide the same level of style, luxury, and accommodations as the 92. To achieve this, the number of staterooms (six) and heads (seven) had to be the same. “Another priority was to continue what we were doing with the 92 and all of our boats—incorporating lighter interior components and finding ways to take weight out of existing materials,” says Interior Design Manager Steve Walker.

An electric-powered sliding door just off centerline to starboard leads to a salon with a U-shaped lounge on the portside. This kind of lounge space in the salon was a must-have given this boat’s purpose as a long-distance sportfishing yacht. Featuring a walnut hi-lo cocktail table, it faces a starboard-side home theater with surround sound and a pop-up 65-inch TV. These appliances come with a wet bar and sink, perfect for all kinds of drinks.

The Viking 90 contains a horizontal grain natural walnut interior, which brings a contemporary aesthetic and additional depth of space. Interior doors featuring both horizontal and vertical grains as well as ebony inlays add to the visual appeal.

Forward on the starboard side is a wrap-around galley with refrigeration, freezers, stone countertops and five barstools beneath an overhang. The galley holds numerous amenities—two Sub-Zero refrigerators, a freezer, dishwasher, four-burner electric range, garbage disposal, and trash compactor. Ample storage space is included as well. Across from the dinette is a very large, raised dinette with U-shaped seating and a walnut table. The elevated platform allows for excellent views outside while also providing a rod locker with pull-out drawer below.

Accommodations

“The 92, even with all its staterooms and heads and open areas, was still a very voluminous boat with ample space throughout the yacht,” adds David. “So we knew we had the ability to scale down areas and yet still bring people all the great accommodation characteristics of the 92. We did it through careful planning, teamwork and a commitment to our owners.”

Steve and his group analyzed every inch, carefully refining the placement of interior furniture and streamlining the layout. “It was a challenge, no doubt,” says Steve. “But we pushed through and came away with a beautiful, highly functional interior that I believe people are going to love.” They not only delivered six staterooms and seven heads, they maintained the size of the beds, entryways and laundry room. “The end result is a functional free-flowing spacious layout that promotes comfortable movement throughout the yacht,” adds Steve.

The Viking 90 features a full-beam master stateroom, a his and hers head with shared shower, a king-size bed, a large maple-lined walk-in closet, a credenza below a 65-inch HDTV, a vanity/desk area with swing-out stool on the starboard side, a port-side lounge seat and port and starboard credenzas with drawer storage. “We rearranged the layout of the forward port stateroom, but all of the staterooms—including the crew quarters—are very similar to the 92’s staterooms,” adds Steve. “You have five guest staterooms, each with its own private head and shower, crew quarters with immediate access to the engine room, a pantry with an additional crew athwartship berth and a day head.”

Enclosed Bridge

On the Enclosed Bridge (EB) and Sky Bridge (SB) models, an aluminum ladder leads from the lower mezzanine to the enclosed bridge’s aft deck, which features a two-person seat near centerline (with standard air conditioning in the backrest) and a starboard-side aft control station—with full engine controls, radio box forward of the helm pod and a recessed area for multi-function electronics displays (MFDs). A sliding door leads to the enclosed bridge salon and its forward control station. The enclosed bridge is also accessible via a staircase inside the salon.

Inside the EB, a second salon awaits, boasting walnut cabinetry and furniture, premium carpeting and air conditioning and heating. A port-side L-shaped lounge highlights the lounge, accompanied by a walnut hi-lo cocktail table. Forward of the lounge is a sub-zero refrigerator. The starboard side is the perfect place for the 43-inch pop-up HD TV. Storage areas are provided under both companion seats and under the lounge aft of the starboard seat.

Forward, two Stidd double companion chairs side the centerline Stidd helm chair. The control station features a raised black Ultraleather wraparound electronics pod (with integrated visor) that holds five standard MFDs. “This is the first Viking to have an electronics pod designed specifically for five MFDs,” says David. “We’ve also incorporated a series of vents in the forward section of the console. Plus, ergonomic refinements throughout make for just a really easy user experience.” The lower portion of the console contains recessed radio boxes outboard of the steering wheel with various instruments and controls. The panel, which is also black, is also home to a half-dozen cup holders.

Sky Bridge

Hull No. 1 will be a Kingston Grey Sky Bridge model. The sky bridge helm and companion chairs (with teak ladder backs) are positioned on a raised teak platform, maximizing visibility. The console is positioned on the starboard side, with a raised electronics pod housing three MFDs. The sky bridge helm pod is flanked by port and starboard radio boxes. Forward of the console, guests can relax in an L-shaped lounge (with storage underneath). A forward fiberglass module holds a sink to port and an undermount drink box to starboard.

Open Bridge

The open bridge’s center console (with forward lounge and storage underneath) anchors this spacious area. Aft of the console, which holds four MFDs, there are three helm chairs with teak ladder backs. They sit on a raised teak platform, again for optimal visibility. Immediately to starboard of the helm—for easy accessibility—is a refrigerated drink box. To port, there’s a convenient storage box. And forward, lounges to port and starboard feature wraparound backrests with integrated storage. A large freezer on centerline forward of the lounge rounds out the amenities on the flybridge.

Caterpillar C32A diesels packing 1925MHP are standard. The optional twin 2635MPH MTU 16V 2000 M96Ls will power hull No. 1. Designers are still calculating the preliminary speeds of all three models, but the design refinements, weight reductions and advanced propulsions systems will give the 90 impressive speed, range and excellent overall performance.

Out of nearly a dozen new flagships, the Viking 90 will become the showpiece of innovation for large sportfishing yachts.

Specs

Length Overall (LOA): 90 ft. 0 in. (27.41 m)

Length Waterline (LWL): 79 ft. 2 in. (24.13 m)

Load Line Length: 76’ 1” (23.20 m) (96 percent)

Beam: 23 ft. 2 in. (7.05 m)

Draft: 5 ft. 11 in. (1.8 m)

Displacement: 203,659 lbs. (92,378 kg) (Open Bridge, no tower)

Displacement: 193, 490 lbs. (87,765 kg) (Enclosed Bridge with Sky Bridge)

Fuel Capacity: 3,801 gals. (14,388 ltrs)

Water Capacity: 480 gals. (1,817 ltrs)

Holding Tank: 282 gals. (1,067 ltrs)

Cockpit Area: 224 sq. ft.in (20.8 sq m)

Power:

CAT C32A 1925: 1925MHP (standard)

MTU Series 2000 V16 M96L: 2635MHP (optional)

CAT C32B 2400: 2433MHP (optional)