Photo courtesy Viking Yachts
Viking Yachts, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021—The 54 Open (O), 54 Sport Coupe (SC) and 54 Sport Tower (ST) are the latest express yachts to join Viking Yachts. The three new models utilize the same advanced hull design of the 54 Convertible, first premiered at the 2020 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show where it won the Best of Show Award.
Photo courtesy Viking Yachts
Viking just finished wrapping up an early holiday gift – a captivating video of the new Valhalla 46’s first sea trial. Watch the V-46, powered with quad Mercury 450Rs, tear up the water in this fast-paced film that was captured from the cockpit of a Viking 72. Hull No. 1 of the V-46 topped out at an amazing 71 mph while demonstrating flawless maneuverability and handling, rapid acceleration and excellent overall performance.
Photo courtesy Viking Yachts
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL—The Viking Yachts 54 Convertible was named the Best of Show during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The award is presented to the most innovative new boat model on display based on multiple criteria, including performance, design, technology and architecture.
Photo courtesy Viking Yachts
Photo courtesy of Viking Yachts
April 1, 2020 New Gretna, New Jersey — In a special letter on the 56th anniversary of the company, Viking President and CEO Pat Healey updated customers, dealers, vendors and the general public about the boatbuilder’s operating status and strategy going forward during the Coronavirus pandemic.
“Our 56 th anniversary serves as a fitting reminder of our resilience,” Healey said in a statement distributed through the Viking and Valhalla Boatworks e-newsletters. “We have endured many hardships (recessions, storms and the Luxury Tax) since my father Bill and Uncle Bob founded the company in 1964. We build boats – and nothing is going to stop us from doing what we love to do. There is no question. We’ll get through this and come out stronger.”
To mitigate the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), protect the health and safety of its employees and adhere to state and federal guidelines, Viking effective March 19 suspended manufacturing operations for a 14-day period at its New Gretna and Mullica facilities. Viking planned to call its workers back on April 6, but recent developments in the fight against the Coronavirus (particularly President Trump’s extension of the social-distancing) prompted the company to reassess its date to begin manufacturing operations again.
The issue will be discussed on Monday, April 6.
Photo courtesy of Viking Yachts
“Our commitment to our customers, dealers and vendors is stronger than ever,” Healey said. During this period, Viking has been carrying out day-to-day operations as Viking staff attend to the needs of
customers, dealers and vendors. Design and Engineering, Sales and Marketing, Customer Service and other key departments continue to build a better boat every day remotely. The company’s operations in Florida remain operational. This includes the Viking Yacht Service Center in Riviera Beach, Florida, as well as the southern arms of the Viking subsidiaries Atlantic Marine Electronics and Palm Beach Towers.
Throughout its history, Viking has prided itself on its commitment to the health, safety and general well-being of its employees. Viking has for many years operated an in-house medical services facility for all employees, which has been on call every day to attend to the needs of employees and their families in this unprecedented time.
The Viking family extends beyond its boatbuilding operations into the communities of southern New Jersey. To support regional medical institutions, Viking has donated a total of 2,650 of the 3M N95 respirator masks as well as 100 Tyvek suits, boots and hoods. “We’re all in this together,” said Healey. “We must do our part to ‘flatten the curve’ so we can return to the boating and fishing lifestyle we all love.”
About the Viking Yacht Company: Founded by brothers Bill and Bob Healey in 1964 on the banks of the Bass River in New Gretna, New Jersey, Viking has become the leading semi-custom production builder of sportfishing and motor yachts in the worlds, with roughly 5,000 boats delivered. The Viking fleet consists of yachts from 38 to 93 feet, and the company recently launched a lineup of outboard-powered center consoles.
A vertically integrated company where 90 percent of every boat is built in-house, Viking operates several subsidiaries, including Palm Beach Towers and Atlantic Marine Electronics. Viking, driven by the mantra “to build a better boat every day,” looks forward to continuing to serve the Viking family with industry-leading products, dealers and customer service.
For more information visit vikingyachts.com and valhallaboatworks.com.
Viking Yachts’ models were recently on display at the 24th Annual Viking Yachts VIP Boat Show at the Viking Service Center in Riviera Beach, Florida. The event, which took place January 31 and February 1, provided attendees with the chance to test out the boats during sea trials.
Check out some of the photos from the show below.
The first Valhalla Boatworks V Series center console – the V-37 – has hit the water. Check out this video to watch the initial sea trial, which comes only six months after Viking announced this revolutionary line of high-performance luxury center consoles.
Want to spice up your operation? BAM! You Can Own Emeril Lagasse’s 70-Foot Viking Yacht ‘Aldente’ For Under $4 Million.
While the boat can put you on fish, we can’t promise it will improve your dinner making skills… but who knows.
Destin, Florida (4/4/19): United Yacht Sales, the world’s largest professional yacht brokerage firm with more than 150 yacht brokers worldwide, is pleased to announce that ‘Aldente’ is now listed for sale with United Yacht Sales broker Captain Brad Benton. Aldente is owned by celebrity chef and philanthropist Emeril Lagasse.
Aldente is a beautiful example of a 70’ Viking Enclosed Bridge and has four spacious cabins, all of the fishing amenities you could ask for, high-gloss teak throughout the interior, and of course, an updated kitchen. Aldente is also equipped with a Seakeeper Gyro which stabilizes the yacht while at anchor or while trolling for big game and a Sea Recovery water-maker which turns saltwater into fresh, drinkable water.
Aldente is equipped with the upgraded MTU 16V 2000 M94 2,600 HP engines. She is listed for sale at $3,995,000.
For more questions about United Yacht Sales or this press release, please contact United Marketing Director Rob Bowman at (828) 242-9810.
Click HERE for ALDENTE 70’ Viking Enclosed Bridge LISTING
Fishing, Fun and Family in the Florida Keys
Capt. Ben Sharpe and Gypsea capture the 6th Annual Viking Key West Challenge.
Top Boat – Gypsea
(Key West, Florida, February 13, 2019)—Forty Vikings from 42 to 82 feet and a record 475 participants descended upon the southernmost city in the United States last week for the 6th Annual Viking Key West Challenge. Ben Sharpe was the winning captain for the fourth time, leading the Viking 56 Gypsea to victory in a closely contested – but fun-focused – competition.
“The Key West Challenge has been a success every year, but this time around the energy level, excitement and fishing was at an all-time high,” said Viking President and CEO Pat Healey. “This is an event exclusively for Viking owners, family and friends. It gives us the opportunity to thank them for being part of the Viking family.”
After a captain’s meeting at Dante’s Tiki Bar that featured delicious food, fun prizes and lots of camaraderie, the teams headed off the following morning for a glorious day on the water. A total of 45 sailfish were released and one swordfish was caught on day one. Gypsea topped the Day One leaderboard with five sails released (500 points), followed by the Viking 80 Mr. Grinch with four sails (400 points). The Viking 62 Tami Ann also released four sails and took third on time. The teams steamed back to the scales at Conch Harbor Marina to weigh their catches and pose for pictures. The Viking 44 Miss Peggy Sue II and captain/owner David Heeter stole the show with a 108-pound swordfish, which was donated for lunch the next day!
More Than Just Fishing
A pool party and lunch, a kids dock tournament and a poker run (i.e. bar crawl) highlighted a relaxed but festive lay day. In the kids tournament, which was sponsored by The Billfish Foundation, Colin Dicembrino took first place, with sisters Ella and Mia Wilson placing second and third, respectively. “This is what it’s all about – passing on the passion for fishing to the next generation,” TBF President Ellen Peel said. “Great job kids!”
The fishing turned white hot on the final day, with 87 sails released. The Viking 48 Fish Wish released eight sails and caught an 8.3-pound dolphin for 808.3 points. Last year’s champ, the Viking 55 Ragin Cajun, was right on their heels with seven sails and a 21.4-pound tuna (721.4 points).
Gypsea had a solid day two as well, with five sails. But it was their dolphin that turned out to be the difference-maker. With an overall point total of 1,004.6, Gypsea edged second-place finisher Mr. Grinch (1,000 overall points) to take the 2019 Viking Key West Challenge crown. Ragin Cajun landed third place overall with 933.8 points. Natalie Rarick on the Viking 82 Bandit took both Top Angler and Top Female Angler awards with eight sailfish and a total of 892.2 points. All results are listed below.
Top Sailfish Boat – Mr. Grinch
The four-day event wrapped up with an outdoor evening dinner and awards ceremony at the Margaritaville Resort that began with a beautiful Key West sunset. “You can’t beat this,” said Pat. “We truly do appreciate your participation in making this a very special Viking event.”
Top Angler – Natalie Rarick, Bandit
Next year, the 7th Annual Key West Challenge will be held April 15-18, 2020. Book your slip today!
In case you missed our live video last Friday at the Viking VIP Show, here’s some exciting news.. Viking Yachts is entering the Outboard Center Console market! President Pat Healey introduces the new line “Valhalla” V-series in 33′, 37′ and 41′.
