A New Champion
The Viking 64 Convertible is designed for tournament fishing action and luxurious family comfort.
The newest member of the Viking Yachts’ fleet, the 64 Convertible, is a tournament contender designed to fish around the world and provide luxurious amenities for family cruising. She is a domineering replacement for the company’s popular 62 Convertible. Two feet may not sound like a lot in terms of LOA, but the New Jersey-based, family owned and operated sportfish builder’s design team has a knack for maximizing the volume out of every available inch.
The 180-square-foot cockpit, for example, is six inches longer than in the 62C. Viking’s demo team has it outfitted for efficiency whether fishing for a Winner’s Circle trophy or going on a family vacation. A 90-gallon pressurized livewell is built into the transom, and the transom scuppers in the cockpit corners can be fit with drains to keep the deck dry if removable livewells are used. Beneath the coamings are fresh- and raw-water washdown systems, quick disconnect fittings for oil changes for the engines and generators, plus 12- and 24-volt outlets to accommodate dredge, kite, and deepwater drop reels. Side storage lockers and fiberglass wells beneath the cockpit sole keep the deck clear. A transom door with a lift gate is standard and allows flexibility for boarding and while fishing.
While waiting for a sailfish or marlin strike, the flybridge overhang offers protection from the sun and spray when sitting on the observation mezzanine, which can be plumbed for air conditioning. The mezzanine deck also provides freezer, tackle, and gear storage as well as a space for an electric grill, a small cooler, and engine room access. A Seakeeper 26 in the lazarette is protected from the elements via a single watertight hatch accessed manually or with an optional electric actuator.
Spacious Salon and Galley
The design team utilized the wide beam and divided the very sociable salon into four separate areas to maximize comfort and convenience. Passing through the electrically operated fiberglass salon door, an L-shaped lounge with storage below is to starboard, complemented with a walnut coffee table. To port, a 50-inch HD television in the walnut cabinetry rises with the touch of a button.
Forward to port is a dinette that seats four with a pull-out drawer sized to store fishing rods. A popular option with this layout is a second HD television on the port side bulkhead next to the dinette. The peninsula galley opposite the dinette includes a pair of bar stools for additional seating.
Undercounter Sub-Zero refrigeration provides deep-drawer capacity, and the custom stone counter has an overhang to enhance usable space. Cooking amenities include a four-burner cooktop and a microwave convection oven. Plentiful walnut cabinetry throughout stores cookware, food items, and supplies. Viking offers a second galley layout with a walkaround island and similar features.
Luxury Accommodations
Accommodations below accentuate luxury and comfort. In the master suite, owners can customize the layout with the choice of an athwartships or fore-aft queen-size berth, ensuite head, credenza storage, and his-and-her maple-lined hanging lockers. The forward stateroom comes standard with a queen-size berth and ensuite head, but a crossover berth arrangement is optional. Separated by the third head are two guest staterooms to port, one appointed with upper and lower berths, the other with side-by-side berths. The latter stateroom also has a massive fishing rod locker behind a wall of walnut cabinetry.
Well-equipped Flybridge
The flybridge boasts Viking’s signature center console helm outfitted with triple pedestal chairs. Navigation systems and other electronics installed by Atlantic Marine Electronics, a Viking subsidiary, nest in a black acrylic helm dash with three flush-mounted Seatronx touchscreen displays. The angle of the dash brings the screens closer to the operator for convenience, and the console itself is slightly taller for quicker access to the twin radio boxes and accessory controls flanking the teak helm pod. The length of the helm console also is slightly shorter to allow more room forward for a sizable lounge with a padded backrest, fiberglass armrests with cupholders, and a 76-gallon freezer under the cushion. Port and starboard lounges with rod storage beneath meld practicality and comfort, along with a chill box for beverages, a sink, and a freshwater outlet.
Prime Performance
Take the wheel and prepare to smile. In the ocean off Palm Beach, I recorded a two-way average top speed of 42 knots. Viking’s engineering and design group fine-combed the running surface, tweaking the chine and running strakes that delivered lift and spray deflection. Modifying the shaft angle and the entry shape in the propeller pockets were other steps the team utilized to enhance the overall performance. At cruise, the water breaks abaft the house windshield and looking astern, there is barely a rooster tail of wasted thrust. The Optimus steering puts you in total control and the boat, despite its hefty weight, handles like a thoroughbred.
The new Viking 64 Convertible is well on its way to being a successful player on the tournament circuit, yet is just as enjoyable for family cruising with motoryacht comfort. This boat truly represents Viking’s commitment to always build a better boat every day, and by doubling down with Atlantic Marine Electronics and its other subsidiary, Palm Beach Towers, Viking will deliver the 64 Convertible turnkey ready.
-by Peter Frederiksen
