World Premier of the Viking Yachts 80 Convertible
It was back in September at the annual Viking Yachts dealer meeting that the new 80 Convertible was first unveiled. Viking President Pat Healey stood in front of all of the dealers from around the world, the press, and customers and gleamingly talked about the advancements the factory had made, not only for this particular model, but this whole range of Vikings. "The 80 Convertible represents the evolution of our product line which is nothing like it was just five years ago," he said. If you know anything about the people at Viking Yachts, it's that they never sit still. Every model is continually improved upon which is what has kept Viking as one of the most prestigous American yacht manufacturers in the world. Pat continued, “This boat has a fresh look with smart, exciting style and luxurious accommodations, and a 41-plus-knot top end. We have made capital improvements throughout our 862,000-square-foot plant, and especially in our R&D building, to produce a new series of New Gretna-built motoryachts from 80 to 90 feet, set to join our 75 Motor Yacht, which was introduced last year.”
As the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show approaches, the excitement around the public debut of the new Viking Yachts 80 Convertible is at an all time high.
HMY Yachts has already taken several deposits on the next 80's to come off of the production line and more are on the way. Like all Vikings, the 80C is manufactured to order and will provide its new owner with a one-of-a-kind sportfishing yacht built and designed to fish and cruise safely and comfortably anywhere in the world. In fact, we have a preview of the very first Marlin caught off of the new Viking 80 on its maiden fishing trip (although surely will not be the last!).
While fishability is certainly important in a sportfishing yacht (and the 80C has plently of fishability), you want your vessel to be durable, quiet, and maintain its value long after the first Marlin gets hooked. Viking cut no corners on the construction of the new 80, starting with its hull. The resin-infused hull is a sophisticated composite structure of Baltek end-grain balsa and Airex foam cores with Aramid and E-glass fiberglass laminates. Stringers are fiberglass encapsulated foam and bulkheads are fabricated with vacuumed bagged composites. 
Perhaps even more impressive than the sleek hull design and construction is the power and handling of the new Viking 80. Powered with Tier 3 MTU Series 2000 V16 M96L engines, each developing 2,635 mhp with Blue Vision controls and display monitors, tank testing calculations indicate a top speed in excess of 40 knots with an effortless high 30 knot cruise, depending upon load, sea conditions, and ambient environmental factors. With that kind of speed on an 80-footer, the fishing grounds are just a comfortable cruise away from the dock.
The 80C includes a lengthy list of standard equipment like a hydraulic bow thruster, a centralized seawater system, Veem S-class propellers, two 29 kW Onan generators, two Glendinning Cablemasters, Charles PM 100 shore power cord combiner and isolation transformer, and an Octoplex touch screen electrical distribution panel with monitors in the salon and on the flying bridge.
Perhaps one of the most impressive features of the new Viking Yachts 80C is the inviting accommodations which include five generously appointed staterooms, including a full beam master suite with a king size walk-around bed. Every stateroom has a large head and fiberglass shower stall. A washer and dryer are located in the companionway.
For more on the Viking Yachts 80 Convertible, please visit us at the upcoming Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. For HMY show locations, please click here.
You can also view the Viking Yachts 80C brochure by clicking here.
