Article overview: When it comes to choosing a sportfishing yacht, 50 feet is a compelling size. It offers the range and capability to head offshore, the accommodations to comfortably spend extend...
When it comes to choosing a sportfishing yacht, 50 feet is a compelling size. It offers the range and capability to head offshore, the accommodations to comfortably spend extended time aboard, and enough versatility to serve as both a serious fishing platform and a capable cruising yacht.
Viking Yachts takes that versatility a step further with its 50 Series, offering four distinct models built around the same proven hull platform: the 50 Convertible, 50 Billfish, 50 Open Express, and 50 Sport Coupe/Sport Tower.
Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, Viking has developed each version around a different style of boating. The result is a lineup that gives owners the opportunity to choose how they want to use their 50-footer, whether that means tournament fishing, cruising, entertaining, or a combination of all three.
One Platform. Four Distinct Personalities.
The appeal of the Viking 50 Series is its breadth. Each model carries the performance, engineering, construction quality, and sportfishing DNA legendary to Viking, while its individual configuration changes the way owners experience the boat.
Viking 50 Convertible
For the owner who wants a traditional Viking sportfishing yacht in a highly capable 50-foot package, the 50 Convertible is the natural choice.
The latest generation of the Viking 50 continues a lineage that has proven itself over multiple generations. Its open flybridge provides excellent visibility over the cockpit and surrounding water, while the walk-around center-console helm is designed for confident operation and tournament-ready functionality.
Below deck, the 50 Convertible combines a contemporary interior with the accommodations expected of a larger yacht. A three-stateroom layout, full galley and dinette create a comfortable home base for extended fishing trips, cruising and time with family and friends.
The cockpit remains the heart of the boat, with 131 square feet of working space, in-deck fish boxes, a transom live well and dedicated storage for fishing equipment. The boat is also engineered for Seakeeper installation and can be equipped with a wide range of navigation, fishfinding, communication and onboard systems.
With available MAN and Scania power, the 50 Convertible delivers the speed, maneuverability and offshore capability expected from a Viking while retaining the manageable size and owner-operator appeal of a 50-footer.
Viking 50 Billfish
The 50 Billfish offers the concept as a more streamlined, owner-operator-focused option and you can soon see her on display at the 2026 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
As the largest member of Viking's Billfish family, the 50 BF builds on the series' reputation for combining serious fishing capability with comfortable cruising accommodations. The Billfish concept is intentionally designed around simplicity, accessibility and ease of maintenance, making it particularly appealing to owners who want to fish hard without the complexity of a traditional tournament Convertible.
That doesn't mean giving up comfort.
The 50 BF shares the same hull platform as the other 50 Series models and brings convertible-level accommodations and finish to a sportier, more straightforward package. It is designed for owners who want a boat that can head offshore for a day of fishing and transition easily into a comfortable cruiser for weekends away.
Viking 50 Open Express
The 50 Open Express offers yet another interpretation of the 50-foot Viking.
Its raised command deck sits immediately forward of the cockpit and features a distinctive wraparound windshield and integrated hardtop. The layout keeps the captain connected to the cockpit and fishing action while providing a comfortable, salon-like environment for everyone aboard.
The open command deck can also be fitted with a custom Costa Clear enclosure, giving owners additional protection from the elements and greater flexibility in changing conditions. A Palm Beach Towers tuna tower is also available, allowing the Open Express to take on an even more serious offshore fishing role.
Below, the boat offers comfortable accommodations with a galley, dinette and choice of layouts, making it equally well suited to cruising and extended stays aboard.
For owners who appreciate the classic express profile but don't want to compromise on Viking's sportfishing capabilities, the Open Express strikes an appealing balance.
Viking 50 Sport Coupe & Sport Tower
For owners who place a premium on cruising comfort while still wanting genuine offshore capability, the 50 Sport Coupe and 50 Sport Tower offer perhaps the most distinct interpretation of the platform.
The Sport Coupe, which will make its world premiere at FLIBS 20206, features a sleek profile and a three-sided enclosed command deck that functions as a climate-controlled living space. The raised helm provides excellent visibility, while the command deck's seating and dining areas make it a comfortable place to spend time underway, even when conditions aren't ideal.
The Sport Tower takes that same concept and adds a Palm Beach Towers tuna tower, increasing visibility and elevating its offshore fishing capabilities.
Both models retain the fishing-focused cockpit and Viking's sportfishing DNA, making them equally at home chasing pelagics offshore or cruising along the coast.
Built on a Proven Foundation
Although the four models have distinctly different personalities, they share a common foundation.
The 50 Series measures 51 feet 8 inches overall with a 17-foot-1-inch beam, providing substantial volume without stepping into the footprint of a much larger yacht. The hull incorporates Viking's experience in hydrodynamic design, ocean testing, Computational Fluid Dynamics and construction techniques developed across its broader lineup.
Viking's resin-infusion processes are used throughout the hull, tankage and structural bulkheads to optimize the fiberglass-to-resin ratio, while carefully selected core materials and carbon fiber contribute to strength and weight savings.
The result is a platform designed around the qualities that have long defined Viking: speed, stability, efficiency, durability and a dry, comfortable ride.
Designed for the Way You Boat
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the 50 Series isn't any single model. It's the choice.
Want the classic open-bridge sportfishing experience? 50 Convertible.
Want a streamlined, owner-operator fishing machine? 50 Billfish.
Prefer the accessibility and versatility of an express configuration? 50 Open Express.
Looking for a more enclosed cruising environment with serious offshore capability? 50 Sport Coupe.
Want that same Sport Coupe experience with the added visibility of a tuna tower? 50 Sport Tower.
The 50 Series demonstrates how much flexibility can be built around a single platform. Rather than asking owners to compromise their boating style to fit a particular model, Viking has created a range of 50-foot yachts designed to meet owners where they are.
Whether your ideal day involves chasing billfish offshore, cruising the coast with family, entertaining friends, or spending a long weekend aboard, there is a Viking 50 designed around that experience.
The question isn't whether the Viking 50 can do it. It's which 50 is right for you.
Explore the Viking 50 Series
To learn more about the Viking 50 Convertible, 50 Billfish, 50 Open Express, 50 Sport Coupe or 50 Sport Tower, contact an HMY Viking Product Specialist at (561) 331-5200.