When it launched in 1991, the Viking Yachts 58 Convertible was the New Jersey builder’s largest model to date. From 1991 to 2000, Viking built and sold 110 of the 58-footers, dubbed Gen I. That’s a tough act to follow. But Viking is once again aiming for star status, having just raised the curtain on its second-generation 58 Convertible.
The new 58C has a 17-foot-9-inch beam, which is the same width as the builder’s 55-footer, but with a different length-to-beam ratio for enhanced performance. The new hull form also repositions and changes the angle of strakes so water will break behind the house windshield, for a soft, dry and efficient ride.
For big-game battles, the 58C’s cockpit has 165 square feet of teak-covered, fish-fighting space. There’s also a transom livewell, a laminated in-deck backing plate for a fighting chair or a rocket launcher, an in-deck fish box and livewell, and a gaff/mop locker. The teak rocket launcher on Hull No. 1 of the 58C has 11 rod holders, two cup holders and a bait-prep area. Crew can watch trolled baits from the mezzanine seating. A Seakeeper SK9 gyrostabilizer is mounted under the cockpit sole.
For post-battle rest and relaxation, the salon has an L-shaped settee to port with rod stowage underneath. Just forward is the galley, with two stools for breakfast before the lines hit the salt. The U-shaped galley has four Sub-Zero fridge/freezer (with ice maker) drawers, a four-burner Miele electric cooktop, a Sharp microwave/convection oven, a stainless-steel sink with a satin-nickel faucet, and cabinets above and below the countertops. A dinette is across from the galley, and a C-shaped settee for six flanks a high-gloss burl pedestal table.
Interior bulkheads and cabinetry are finished in high-gloss teak (walnut is optional), with a mappa-burl cocktail table, an Amtico sole at the salon entrance and galley, padded carpeting, and a Majilite headliner. There is also a Bose home-theater system with a retractable 50-inch flat-screen TV. While in the salon and galley, anglers can keep eyes on the lines through the aft window.
With a three-stateroom, two-head layout, the Viking 58C has room for the tournament crew or the family. The master is amidships to port and has a walkaround queen berth set athwartships with stowage below. Two closets are here, and headroom is 6 feet, 7 inches. The shower stall has 6 feet, 10 inches of headroom.
The forepeak VIP has a centerline walkaround queen berth (split upper-lower crossovers are optional), a maple-lined locker, and an overhead hatch for fresh air and natural light. A starboard guest stateroom abaft the VIP has side-by-side berths, with one tucked under the companionway staircase. The two guest heads have Amtico soles, Dometic electric toilets, faux-stone countertops and separate shower stalls. Access to the bow thruster and tube is via a sole hatch in the VIP stateroom. Other hatches allow owner-operator access to a lower machinery space that’s fitted with plumbing, wire runs and pumps.
To add to the interior living space, Viking pulled some space out of the engine room, which can be accessed via a door in the mezzanine seating. Headroom measures 5 feet, 10 inches, and there’s space to work around the twin 1,600 hp MTU diesels. The air conditioning units and 700-gallon-per-day watermaker filters are a cozier fit, and a 21.5-kW Onan generator is mounted abaft the engines, on a platform over the portside drive shaft. Viking finishes the 58C’s engine room like a laboratory, in bright white Awlgrip for spotting spills.
From fishability to fit and finish, Viking’s second-generation 58 Convertible has the feet to fill the big shoes that the first-generation model left behind. Star status may, indeed, be on the horizon.
Speed Demon
Tricked out with optional twin 1,600 hp MTU 10V 2000 engines, the Viking 58 Convertible rocketed to a top-end speed of 42.5 knots during our time aboard in calm seas, with about a one-third fuel load (around 495 gallons), full water (207 gallons) and three people on board.
Twin 1,400 hp MAN diesels are standard, and options include 1,550 and 1,900 hp MAN diesels. Cruising at 36.5 knots with the diesels consuming 129 gallons per hour yields a 424-nautical-mile range. At her 42.5-knot wide-open velocity, fuel burn jumps to 176 gph for a range of 326 nautical miles.
The 58C holds 1,502 gallons of diesel, and there’s an option to increase the capacity to 1,741 gallons.
Command and Control
The Viking 58 Convertible is commanded from a center-console-style flybridge helm. There is full walkaround access to the helm pod (which is available in teak as an option), and visibility fore and aft is clean from the twin helm seats. Guests can sit on dual bench seats with backrests and on a forward-facing seat built into the helm pod. All seats have vinyl-covered foam cushions. For snacks and sodas, a refrigerated drink box is forward to starboard and a freezer box is to port.
Electronics are housed in recessed boxes that flank the helm with split console covers, and a center recessed console box houses multifunction displays and engine monitors. A drop-down box above can house additional electronics.
Take the next step: vikingyachts.com
