HMY’s Viking Yachts Update: April 2024
OWNER’S CORNER
Earlier this month, 16 of HMY’s clients joined the Viking Yacht Company and HMY Team members, alongside many others in the industry, in Key West for the 10th Annual Viking Key West Challenge. This event is a culmination of what the Viking Yacht Company is at its core – family, fishing, and fun.
The Viking Key West Challenge is a four-day event kicked off by a Captain’s Meeting Wednesday night that leads straight into the first day of fishing Thursday. Friday everyone enjoys a lay day together that includes a pool party at the iconic Dante’s Key West Bar, a kid's fishing dock along the pier, and a bar crawl down Duval Street. After this full day of fun, it is back to fishing on Saturday and the event is wrapped up with an Awards Dinner at Opal’s Key West overlooking the best sunset you will ever see.
This year, HMY clients showed up and showed out! Overall 1st Place went to our clients on the Right Choice, a 61’ Viking! They also had their angler Adam Kapusta take home 3rd overall angler and 3rd junior angler! Way to go, Adam! Our clients on Pipe Dreamer took home 1st place overall Tuna Points. Our clients Blue Eyes, Silverado, and Pipe Dreamer swept the top 3 for heaviest individual Tuna, while our clients on Silverado and Tami Ann took 1st and 2nd in individual heaviest Kingfish.
It was a great week for all! It is never too early to sign up for next year. If you need any assistance in securing your slip for next year’s Challenge April 9-12, 2025 call your HMY Viking Yacht Specialist today!
BUILD UPDATE
The Viking 80 Convertible was one of the most popular and successful convertibles in the company’s history. With 54 hulls built and delivered to customers around the world, the 80 Convertible pioneered the concept of an 80s sportfishing vessel that could run over 40 knots and accommodate some of the most aggressive fishing adventures. But no matter how successful a model has been over the company’s 60 years in business, the Viking team has never sat on its laurels, and continuously lives by its pledge to, “Build a Better Boat Every day.” The all-new 82 Convertible that was announced to the world on April 1st, 2024, lives by this pledge in every way possible. With HMY having several 82s currently under construction, the team has had the opportunity to step onboard Hull #1, an open bridge version, on several occasions to study the model. Overall, the 82 Convertible is a larger, more accommodating, and hopefully faster version of the 80, and resets the standard for sportfishing convertibles in the 80-foot range. At first glance, one may need a minute to realize that the 82 is a production boat rather than a classic custom sportfish. With her accent lines in the hull, and dramatic curvature throughout, you can envision her running to the canyons at over 40 knots. Step into the cockpit and the expansive 230 square foot space is more than apparent. New to Viking, the starboard side mezzanine seating area ends with a lounger, allowing guests to lay back comfortably while watching the action in the cockpit. The cockpit can also be optioned with many of the creature comforts and fishing equipment most Viking owners are accustomed to too. Also, new to Viking, the 82 Convertible can be optioned with a Seakeeper SK40. Step through the portside salon door and be amazed at the enormous accommodations inside the 82 Convertible.
When walking into the salon with its massive 21’ 5” beam, guests will feel as if they are onboard a much larger motor yacht. On the Open Bridge Version, the day head is immediately to Port (the staircase would be placed there for the enclosed bridge versions, and the day head would move forward of the dinette). To the starboard is the expansive salon sofa that can be customized in ultra leather upholstery and has ample storage. Forward and to starboard is the galley that can be enclosed (u-shaped) for greater storage opportunities, or open to give an island galley feel. To Port is the raised dinette with rod storage underneath, and forward of the dinette is the AV equipment room to port, and the pantry to starboard. Down below in the accommodations, there are five staterooms with five ensuite heads. The master is full beam and takes advantage of the 21.5” foot beam, and is outfitted with his and hers hanging lockers, a make-up table on the starboard side, and a sofa on the port side. The head is starboard and features a large vanity that can accommodate two sinks and a huge full shower. The rest of the staterooms simply feel large, particularly the captain’s quarters and the crew quarters which can be known to be tight on other vessels of this class. Most notable on the 82 is the dedicated walk-in rod locker on the port side, something that will be a true joy to all.
The flybridge on the 82 was inspired directly by the 90 Convertible Bridge, with a full walkaround center console, a full-width 8-inch-high helm platform that can accommodate three helm chairs from either Release or Bluewater and provides 360-degree visibility and a helm console that can fit 4 17 inch MFD screens from AME. Forward of the helm is a massive full-length lounge area with standard air conditioning in the backrest. Ultimately, the 82 Convertible will exceed everyone’s expectations. HMY has had the pleasure of learning about this model and is excited to already start building several 82s. Contact your HMY new Viking Product Team Member today to learn more about this incredible new model.
TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
This month we are excited to feature Rob Spano from our Palm Beach Gardens office. Rob Spano grew up in Jupiter, Florida, where fishing, diving, and boating were always a part of his life. He brings nearly 25 years of experience in the marine industry to HMY Yacht Sales, and he is one of HMY’s Viking Product Specialists.
After graduating from college with a business degree, Rob had the opportunity to captain some of the largest and most technologically advanced sportfishing boats in the world, which culminated in the construction and captaining of Viking Yachts’ flagship vessel, the 92’ Sportfish. Rob’s hands-on experience has earned him unsurpassed knowledge of today’s boats and their latest systems.
Whether overseeing the construction of half a dozen sportfishing boats, or boating everywhere from Maine to the Caribbean, Rob has always understood the importance of his clients’ happiness. They can be assured that no one will work harder than Rob to ensure that their boat transaction is successful.
We sat down with Rob and asked him a few questions about Viking Yachts and his experience in the build process and with the product.
What is your favorite Viking Model?
"The 68 Viking, because of its impressive seakeeping, good speed, and maneuverability, and its also my favorite layout! The 12-cylinder motor packages are so fuel efficient, which also leads to having a lot of space in the Engine Room."
What is your favorite part of the Viking Build process?
"The first time I take a client to the Viking factory and see their reaction to the expansive production lines. They get to see how much is manufactured in-house. As well as, when the client gets to add a personal touch to the build and they ask for something insignificant to most, but makes all the sense and difference to them."
What is your most memorable Viking experience? "September 2014, Viking Dealer Meeting in Atlantic City, NJ. Running the 92' for the first time was pretty memorable. I had run 7 or so other new models before that, but that one was a big undertaking and accomplishment for Viking."
SAVE THE DATE
HMY Lowcountry Cup - July 3-6, 2024
HMY Yacht Sales is proud to host the 2nd Annual HMY Lowcountry Cup Billfishing Tournament in July 2024. As it was a qualifying event for the South Carolina Govenor’s Cup Billfishing Series in 2023, we are thrilled to announce that we are officially the fourth leg out of five in the series. The HMY Lowcountry Cup will consist of three fish days and competing teams can pick their best two out of three days.
Schedule of Events: 2024 HMY Lowcountry Cup Schedule of Events
Registration Details: To register you can go to our tournament page found on Reel Time Apps Click Here. Registration will also be open in person at the Captain’s meeting, until 9:00 PM.
HMY VIKING’S IN-STOCK OR ON-ORDER LISTINGS
- 68 Convertible – Finishing Stage - Summer 2024 Delivery
- 72 Convertible – Interior Start Stage - Summer 2024 Delivery
- 68 Convertible (molded-in staircase) – Start Stage - Late Summer 2024 Delivery
- V-28 Bay - Start Stage - July 2024
- 46 Billfish - Mechanical Stage - FLIBS 2024
- 64 Convertible – Specs Due Soon – VIP/MIAMI 2025
