Two New Flagships, One Boat Show

By Reiley Hutchinson   February 24, 2023

The Viking 90 sportfishing yacht and the Valhalla 55 center console made their world premiere at the 2023 Miami International Boat Show. 

Proving once again its status as the leading semi-custom boatbuilder in the world, the Viking Yacht Company held a press conference during the Miami International Boat Show for the world premiere of its two new flagships – the Viking 90 sportfishing yacht and the Valhalla 55 center console. 

“Both of these boats are badass,” Viking President and CEO Pat Healey said from the cockpit of the Viking 90. “They will not only become the leaders in their respective classes, but they’re also going to dominate for years to come. They’re that good. We just keep pushing, following our mantra of building a better boat every day. It’s a thrill to be the head coach of this incredible team.”

A crowd of about 50 members of the media gathered at One Herald Plaza in Downtown Miami between the Venetian and MacArthur Causeways at the Viking Yachts and Valhalla Boatworks in-water display. The two industry-leading luxury yachts were front and center for all to see.

Both are completely new designs from the keel up. The Viking 90 delivers the same luxurious accommodations – including six staterooms, seven heads and two salons – as its predecessor (the Viking 92) – and performance on par with the Viking 80. Powered by twin 2635MPH 16-cylinder MTU engines, the Viking 90 Sky Bridge (SB) hits a top speed of 38-plus knots. “With our open bridge model, we anticipate gaining another knot on the top end,” says Healey. The 90 SB cruises at 32-33 knots. At this speed, she has incredible range – nearly 600 nautical miles.

A magnificent feat of design and engineering, the 90 on display at the show features an enclosed bridge topped by an open sky bridge. Viking also offers the 90 with an enclosed bridge or open bridge – with or without a custom Palm Beach Towers (PBT) tuna tower. The 90’s advanced propulsion systems include struts, rudders and propellers that reduce drag and maximize efficiency. Lighter interior materials, the increased use of carbon fiber and Light Resin Transfer Molding also contribute to the yacht’s superior performance and quality. 

The stern of the 90 showcases the perfect balance of form and function, with a jaw-dropping Kingston Grey gelcoat and a faux teak mezzanine and upper aft deck with three aft-facing seating areas and storage galore. The cockpit measures 224 square feet, with a 203-gallon transom fishbox/live well and a pair of full-length 103-gallon insulated in-deck fishboxes (with refrigeration optional). A single hatch on centerline provides access to the Seakeeper 35, a watertight design, and the cockpit sole is built with reinforcement for the mightiest of fighting chairs.

With 16 already sold, the Viking 90 is destined to become the new benchmark of innovation and ingenuity for the large world-traveling sportfishing yacht.

The Valhalla 55 has seen comparable success right out of the gate, too, with more than 50 boats sold since her introduction. The Valhalla 55 is a statement boat that merges all the engineering, technology and quality of a Viking sportfisher with the style, performance and high-level fishability of the Valhalla Boatworks V Series luxury center console lineup. Confirming its excellence, the new flagship won the Miami International Boat Show Innovation Award in the Center Console/Walkaround Fishing Boat Category. 

The V-55’s overall size – particularly its 15-foot 6-inch beam – allows for more fuel capacity (1,200 gallons), cockpit space, on-deck seating and interior living accommodations than any other center console in its class. She’s the largest center console utilizing the patented Stepped-V Ventilated Tunnel (SVVT) running surface. 

The V-55 will thrive in a variety of roles – offshore tournament contender, high-performance sport yacht, fish-and-cruise express or tender to a Viking or superyacht. The Valhalla 55 was designed and built specifically for Mercury’s innovative V-12 600-hp outboards (four or five engines) with a resin-infused one-piece stringer grid that supplies the structural strength needed for the tremendous torque and power of these outboards. The quad power package pushes the V Series flagship to a top speed of 63-64 mph, with a range of 450-500 miles cruising from 40 to 50 mph. With five 600s, the V-55 hits 73-74 mph, with a higher cruise speed and the same range. 

The V-55's ride is so smooth, stable and dry – even in rough conditions – its speed is deceptive. “People have been amazed,” says Viking’s Ryan Higgins, who has conducted more than 30 sea trials with owners. “It may feel like you’re going 35 mph, but you’re actually running well over 50 mph. They don’t believe it until they look at the GPS.”

Hull No. 1 of the V-55 also features a custom Palm Beach Towers gap tower with Gemlux carbon fiber outriggers. The helm design is second to none, with incredible visibility and ergonomics. Accommodations below bring yacht-like luxury – akin to a Viking interior – to the V-55, with a private forward stateroom, galley-dinette and aft berths. Another game-charger: a machinery room for mechanical and electrical components, similar to a Viking engineroom, that offers protection and ease of access. The innovation continues – the V-55 is designed for the latest and largest equipment, such as a Seakeeper 9, a 15kW generator, omni-directional sonar and the ElectroSea raw water cleaning system. Like the Viking 90, the Valhalla 55 is designed and built in conjunction with two of the company’s subsidiaries – PBT and Atlantic Marine Electronics – for turn-key delivery.

Viking 90

Length Overall (LOA): 90 ft. 0 in. (27.41 m)

Length Waterline (LWL): 79 ft. 2 in. (24.13 m)

Load Line Length: 76’ 1” (23.20 m)

(96 percent)

Beam: 23 ft. 2 in. (7.05 m)                              

Draft: 5 ft. 11 in. (1.8 m)

Displacement: 203,659 lbs. (92,378 kg)

(Enclosed Bridge with Sky Bridge)

Displacement: 193,490 lbs. (87,765 kg)

(Open Bridge, no tower)

Fuel Capacity: 3,801 gals. (14,388 ltrs)

Water Capacity: 480 gals. (1,817 ltrs)

Holding Tank: 282 gals. (1,067 ltrs)

Cockpit Area: 224 sq. ft.in (20.8 sq m)

Power:

CAT C32A 1925:1925MHP (standard)

MTU Series 2000 V16 M96L: 2635MHP (optional)

CAT C32B 2400: 2433MHP (optional)

Valhalla 55

Length 55’ 7”

Beam 15’ 6”

Draft Engines Up (full load) 37” 

Draft Engines Down (full load) 48”

Weight

   dry: 38,904 lbs.

   half load: 44,539 lbs. 

   full load: 49,873 lbs. 

Deadrise 22.5 deg.

Fuel Capacity 1,200 gal. 

Fresh Water 125 gal. 

Waste 31 gal. 

Diesel 50 gal.

Max Engine HP 3,000

Live Well (2) 65 gallons each

Power: Four or five Mercury V12 600-hp outboards with standard joystick system.