Viking Yachts 43 Open

A big, muscular fishing boat with tremendous eye appeal, the Viking 43 Open was the best-selling express fisherman in her class during most of the 1990s. Viking offered this model in an Open Sportfish or Express configuration with the difference being the bolt-on swim platform and radar arch of the Express model. The deck plan was very innovative when the 43 was introduced back in 1994—the helm is centered on the raised bridge deck, and the steps leading down to the cockpit are offset to starboard. This permits a full set of in-line tackle centers and a centerline access door to the engine room. A fish box is built into the cockpit sole, and a transom door and transom livewell were standard. The standard single-stateroom floorplan has a spacious, wide-open salon with a big U-shaped settee and a roomy galley—an excellent day-boat layout, although a two-stateroom arrangement was also available. Among several engine options, a pair of 550hp 6V92s cruise in the high 20s (30+ knots top). Later models with 680hp MANs cruise at a fast 30 knots with a top speed in the neighborhood of 35 knots. Over 70 were built during her production years.