Article overview: HMY Yacht Sales is proud to share exciting news from the 2025 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, where Viking Yachts’ Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht was recognized with top honor...
HMY Yacht Sales is proud to share exciting news from the 2025 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, where Viking Yachts’ Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht was recognized with top honors. Fox Sports awarded the 55 Sport Yacht the prestigious “Best of Show” distinction, celebrating its unmatched combination of performance, craftsmanship, and innovation. Built entirely at Viking’s state-of-the-art facility in New Gretna, New Jersey, this latest Valhalla model showcases the pinnacle of design and engineering that continues to set Viking and Valhalla apart in the world of luxury performance yachts.
To read more about this impressive achievement, see below for Viking Yachts Press Release.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – October 30, 2025 – The Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht captured the Fox Sports Best of Show award at the 2025 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, impressing judges with its in-house design, engineering and construction. Built entirely at Viking’s New Gretna, N.J., facility, the 55 SY stood out for its performance, quality and versatility – delivering the speed and fishability of a center console with the luxury, comfort and accommodations of a Viking convertible. Powered by quad Mercury V12 600-hp outboards, the 55 Sport Yacht tops out at 60-plus mph while offering the smooth, stable ride and refinement that define the Valhalla line. Judges praised its flawless fit and finish, seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces and innovative features such as its pilothouse doors, balcony platforms and full overnighting capability.
The award was presented by Fox Sports in partnership with the Marine Industries Association of South Florida and Informa Markets, which own and produce the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, respectively.
Built entirely at Viking’s New Gretna, N.J., facility, the Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht impressed judges with its craftsmanship, engineering, versatility and performance.
“I had high expectations based on the brand’s history, and they were surpassed,” said Best of Show judge Bill Zito, president and general manager of the world champion Florida Panthers NHL team. “The Valhalla 55 combines function, design and performance – beautiful lines, exceptional craftsmanship and no detail overlooked. You can run to the Bahamas, fish, and entertain – Valhalla thought of everything and executed it to perfection. There’s a reason it says Valhalla on the side.” “It’s an incredible honor,” said Viking President and CEO Pat Healey, who took the judges
through the new model. “This boat represents the very best of what our team can do – world-class performance and engineering built completely in-house by the finest craftsmen in the business. The 55 Sport Yacht combines everything we’ve learned from our Viking convertibles and Valhalla center consoles into one extraordinary design.” The Valhalla 55 SY made its world premiere at FLIBS, joining the company’s display of 18 boats ranging from 28 to 90 feet. Built under Viking’s “building a better boat every day” philosophy, the two-stateroom, two-head vessel continues the brand’s leadership in performance, quality and innovation. The award marks the latest in a string of show honors for the company. The Valhalla 54 won the Best of Show award at the 2020 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, and the Valhalla V-55 earned the Innovation at the 2023 Miami International Boat Show.
About the Viking Yacht Company
Established in 1964 on the banks of the Bass River in New Gretna, N.J., and following Co-founder Bill Healey’s mantra of building a better boat every day, Viking has become the leading semi-custom production builder of sportfishing yachts and center consoles in the world, with 6,000 boats delivered. The Viking fleet consists of yachts from 46 to 90 feet, and the company in 2019 launched a lineup of premium high-performance outboard yachts – Valhalla center consoles and sport yachts. Princess Yachts America, the U.S. distributor of the British-built yachts, is also part of the Viking portfolio. A vertically integrated company where the vast majority of every boat is built in-house, Viking operates several subsidiaries, including Valhalla Yacht Sales, Atlantic Marine Electronics, Palm Beach Towers and the Viking Yacht Service Center.
The Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht’s win at the 2025 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show showcases Viking’s continued leadership and commitment to “building a better boat every day.” To learn more about the Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht or to discuss available build and delivery opportunities, contact an HMY Valhalla Product Specialist today at (843) 892-8800 or visit HMY.com for more information.