Research 2012 - Viking Yacht - 55 C

~The New Viking 55 Convertible - Ground breaking styling and performance set to rule the sea again

(January 2012, New Gretna, New Jersey) With an unprecedented industry track record of launching six new boats in the past two model years, the Viking Yacht Company is once again poised to make waves with still another new model, this time the 55 Convertible, slated for an early summer 2012 launch. With a boat building heritage that spans over 48 years of uninterrupted family owned operation, history has plenty of opportunities to repeat itself. Such is the case of the new 55 Convertible. It was during the 1996 Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show when Viking first introduced a 55 Convertible to rave reviews for its styling, performance and tournament pedigree. Viking would build over 153 of these ground breaking convertibles, which became the most popular boat in its class of that decade. As this new generation 55 Convertible featuring an exclusive high-speed running surface is about to launch, it appears this introduction is in fine company.

With every one of its premieres, Viking pushes the evolutionary envelope and this new 55 Convertible showcases timeless style, long the trademark of the company’s fleet that ranges from 42 to 82 feet. Sleek and sporty with nary a straight line in evidence the 55 Convertible’s profile is constantly in motion bow to stern from the aggressive rake at the stem to the gentle crown of the transom. In between, the metallic black windshield mask and molded feature lines in the flying bridge and deckhouse accent its fluid proportions with eye-pleasing devotion.

A Better Boat Everyday

Since 1964, every Viking has been built on the foundation of building a better boat everyday. From every boat comes lessons learned that are commuted to the next boat on the line. This commitment to excellence allows each boat to be a showpiece in its own right enhancing overall performance and inherent value. The new 55 Convertible benefits from this long standing tradition and the proof is evident the moment you enter the roomy salon through the fiberglass sliding door in the cockpit. The William Bales and Company interior is like being on the pages of Architectural Digest. An L-shaped lounge to port has rod and general stowage underneath and is perfectly situated to view the 42-inch flat screen television, which overlooks a spacious dinette opposite the galley. Together, these features meld a most inviting interior ideal for relaxing, entertaining or campaigning on the tournament trail for weeks at a time. Built into the galley island with dual egress are Sub-Zero refrigeration and freezer units, while comfortable bar stools add useful and stylish practicalities. Viking craftsmanship and signature joinery work is evident throughout the salon, which features random teak varnished with a high gloss or satin finish for a rich, better than custom ambience. Abundant stowage is a given, yet the 55 Convertible takes this feature to the next level with honeycomb cored doors to help shed unnecessary pounds for speed and efficiencies under way. Similarly, granite surfaces utilize a strong, lightweight core for earthen beauty minus weight. An available peninsula galley counter also is available, which adds additional refrigerator capacity.

Below, the three-stateroom, two-head layout maximizes the use of space for comfort and privacy. The master and forward staterooms each have queen-size berths with custom inner-spring mattresses and private access to the heads with spacious fiberglass shower stalls with built in molded seats. Crossover berths also are available in the forward cabin. The port stateroom features side-by-side berths with private head access. The washer and dryer in the companionway are conveniently complemented with a nearby spacious linen locker.

Every Viking benefits from its tournament proven heritage and the new Viking 55 Convertible comes to the party dressed like a blue-water champion. The flying bridge with its center console command station features power-assisted hydraulic steering, single-lever electronic controls, and electronic trolling valves. Electronics stow neatly beneath clear acrylic panels, protected from the most severe conditions yet always within an easy glance. A Moritz safety monitor includes visual and audible alarms for ship and engine systems. A pair of Murray Products teak ladder back helm seats on polished stainless-steel pedestals is standard. Additional seating can be found forward of the helm console and adjacent on port and starboard lounges, each with removable jump seat backrests and rod stowage below. A sink with fresh water and an insulated drink box add creature comforts and cruise conveniences.

Every inch of the 151 square-foot cockpit earns its keep with form that follows function. The flying bridge overhang provides shade and spray protection over the observation mezzanine. Built into the mezzanine deck, which features custom Sunbrella cushions is a freezer, stowage compartments, tackle space, a step-box cooler and engine room access. The lower level cockpit is fish ready with raw and fresh water wash-down systems, four flush rod holders, in-deck fish, and stowage boxes, convertible to an available live well or ice chipper container, a molded transom box, side locker stowage for tag sticks and gaffs, rounded comings, a molded nonslip sole, and a walk-through transom door with lift gate.

Mechanically, the new Viking 55 Convertible is peerless in construction and performance. Viking’s industry innovative powder-coated structural steel web-frame engine beds secured to dedicated intermediate bulkheads isolate torque and vibration to reduce engine noise and ensure drive-train alignment. All bulkheads including these as well as the main engine room and forward bulkheads are vacuumed-bagged with composite materials for strength and durability. Custom high-speed stainless-steel rudders utilize composite drip-less seal rudder bearings that are laminated into the hull for smoother handling easily discernable at the helm. The Delta-T engine room ventilation system incorporates supply and discharge fans for proper air supply and water intrusion suppression. A comprehensive gauge package, plus remote engine start/stop switches are accessible immediately inside the engine room access door. In addition to high capacity bilge pumps, clean out pumps in the keel area, plus additional condensate pumps for the air conditioning and refrigeration systems help keep the bilge dry. All bilge areas are sealed with Awlgrip coatings for visibility and easier maintenance, as are brass thru-hull fittings in the engineroom, lazarette and forward bilge areas. Prop pockets help to reduce draft and there is a transducer location molded into the solid reinforced keel for better discrimination in all sea states. A 21.5 kW Onan genset is standard.

Several engine packages from MAN and Caterpillar with horsepower ratings from 2,720 mhp to 3,650 mhp are offered with the new Viking 55 Convertible. Hull number one will feature a pair of MAN V12 1550 CRM engines rated at 1,550 mhp each. Preliminary speed predictions with standard fuel (1,414 gallons) and fully loaded with owner gear and equipment indicates a cruise of 33.8. knots and a top end of 39.5 knots.

As with all Viking yachts, the new Viking 55 Convertible can be ordered with complete Atlantic Marine Electronics navigation and entertainment packages, and tuna towers and other specialty aluminum and fiberglass fabrications from Palm Beach Towers. Utilizing Viking’s subsidiaries AME and PBT means your new Viking will be delivered turnkey ready.

We invite you to contact your Viking dealer to learn more about this exciting new model, and to arrange a sea trial and factory tour of our 810,000 square-foot facility in the Bass River 20 minutes north of Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Draft: 5 ft. 1 in.
Beam: 17 ft. 9 in.
Fuel tank capacity: 1414
Water tank capacity: 225