It’s a milestone few boatbuilders ever achieve, but as Viking Yacht Company celebrated its much-heralded 60th anniversary on April 1, 2024, it announced the introduction of its latest sport-fisherman: the 82 Convertible.
“We’ve taken a boat that has been proclaimed by the sport-fishing community as the most successful 80-foot sportfish boat ever and improved upon it,” says Viking President and CEO Pat Healey, referring to the previous model in the company’s lineup. “We’ve been able to design and build a better boat by using our experiences on multiple Viking 80 demo boats and collecting a tremendous amount of feedback from owners, captains and mates. And like every new model, the 82 is going to be bad-ass—another industry leader.”
Hull No. 1 was completed in May, 2024, and first displayed during the Viking Yachts and Valhalla Boatworks Dealer Meeting in early June. That boat is serving as the company’s summer demonstrator vessel, fishing in a slew of high-profile marlin tournaments along the East Coast.
The 82 will be offered in three different models: open bridge, enclosed bridge and sky bridge. Hull No. 1 is an open-bridge model with a Pamlico Blue gelcoat and a custom tuna tower from Viking subsidiary Palm Beach Towers. The boat’s performance was optimized through the extensive use of computational fluid dynamics software, which allowed the in-house design and engineering team to analyze the longitudinal center of gravity and pressure distribution, study trim angle and trim tab effectiveness, and modify strakes and chines to increase running efficiency.
The Viking 82 is offered with the Advanced Viking Propulsion System, which utilizes struts and rudders with modified shapes to minimize hydrodynamic resistance and improve performance. “The strut is designed to improve the in-flow of water to the propeller, while the rudder minimizes resistance in the flow of water from the propeller,” says Viking Naval Architect Joe Snodgrass. “These improvements allow us to use a larger propeller to gain additional speed.” With twin 2,600 hp MTU 16V2000 M96Ls and the Advanced Viking Propulsion System, performance levels are in the same range as the latest Viking 80s—42 knots at full load with a cruise of 36 knots.
The nearly 230-square-foot cockpit is set up for big-fish battles, just add your preferred fighting chair. The mezzanine provides a perch to keep an eye on the spread and it has two refrigerated boxes as well as two freezer boxes for stowing baits, drinks and more. There are two in-sole, split-lid fish boxes as well as a transom livewell and liftgate tuna door.
The interior has a horizontal-grain natural walnut throughout—available in satin- or high-gloss finishes—and interior doors with horizontal and vertical grains and ebony inlays. To port, there’s a convenient day head; the open-concept salon design features three distinct gathering areas with a straight walkway that extends from the salon door to the forepeak, accentuating the sense of volume.
A wraparound sofa to starboard, with stowage below and accompanied by a hi-lo walnut table, provides an excellent view of the portside HDTV, which rises from the entertainment center cabinetry. Forward on the port side, the dinette accommodates five guests with plush seating and a walnut table. The dinette is on a raised platform, giving guests an excellent view outside while providing rod stowage in a pull-out drawer below.
The galley’s fore-and-aft style maximizes usable space with two under-counter refrigerators and one freezer beneath a second dining area with a raised bar and three stools. The outboard counter accommodates a double stainless-steel sink, electric cooktop, conventional oven and drawer stowage. A microwave oven, trash compactor, dishwasher and upper and lower cabinet stowage round out the conveniences.
The Viking 82’s larger size is also evident in the forepeak, where there are five generously appointed staterooms and additional space in the companionway for a dedicated rod-and-tackle locker as well as a laundry center. The rod-and-tackle locker can be customized to the owner’s liking, while walnut doors conceal both of these spaces.
The full-beam master stateroom is amidships and accessed via a private staircase off the companionway. It has a king-size, walk-around berth. Hanging closets as well as credenzas flank the berth, and there is a vanity/desk area with stool to starboard and a seating area to port. The en suite head has twin sinks with stowage below and a walk-in shower.
All staterooms have en suite heads with separate showers. The forepeak VIP and the guest stateroom aft has walk-around queen berths. A guest and crew stateroom are to port, each with upper and lower berths. The crew stateroom is adjacent to the rod-and-tackle locker.
The flybridge takes several design cues from the Viking 90 and is anchored by a walkaround center console with a full-width helm platform. The console’s recessed, black-acrylic dash holds four 17-inch multifunction displays. The helm has dual radio boxes with split lids with instrumentation and controls, a teak helm pod, single-lever electronic controls and a stainless- steel steering wheel. There are three Release Marine helm chairs. Air conditioning is optional. Hull No. 1 has a custom navigation, communication, fishfinding and entertainment package from Viking subsidiary Atlantic Marine Electronics.
The 82 utilizes many proven systems, including digital switching from Octoplex as well as the Optimus Electronic Power Steering system. In addition, the 82 is engineered for many systems previously provided as custom installations that are now offered as optional components, such as omnidirectional sonar, multiple watermakers and crushed ice machines, tuna tube bait systems as well as the extensive use of refrigerated stowage boxes.
As sport-fishers continue to push the limits of size and performance, Viking Yacht Company’s 82 Convertible embodies the hard won knowledge and experience of 60 years of boatbuilding.
Take the next step: vikingyachts.com
