OnBoard Magazine - Summer 2015

FOR INDUSTRY VETERANS such as Bluewater’s Chris and Earle Hall, a visit to the immense Viking factory in New Gretna, New Jersey has become somewhat routine over the companies’ 30 year relationship. However, there was nothing routine about this recent visit for the Bluewater contingent, which also included Sales Professionals Hank Sibley, Scott James, and his father, Bob. In addition to being on-hand to pick up Bluewater’s on- order 62 Convertible and 42 Express just in time for the summer season, the team bore witness to some exciting milestones along Viking’s timeline. The company was just coming off a spirited celebration of their 50th anniversary in April and the factory was feverishly working on two new landmark models: the 92C, their biggest boat ever, and the 75MY their long-awaited re-entry into the motoryacht segment. As they approached the exterior of Viking’s primary construction facility on the Bass River, the rhythmic cadence of construction hardware and whirring machinery slowly washed over them before they entered. Once inside, they were confronted by the imposing bow of hull 1 of the new Viking 92. Aside from walking the massive exterior, the Bluewater team was invited aboard the in-progress yacht to experience the beginnings of her spacious and breathtaking interior accommodations. While there was still a lot of work to be done at the time, the first-hand tour helped the team to visualize the end product in the water—a vision they were able to confirm soon thereafter at the Viking Dealer Meeting held in Atlantic City. Equally remarkable was their sneak preview of the all-new Viking 75 Motoryacht, and after seeing the proportions and layout of the 75 it was abundantly clear to the group that “Viking intends to seize a great deal of share in the motoryacht segment.” The Bluewater team also watched the all new 52 Express being pulled from her mold and they were so impressed with everything this new package had to offer that Chris Hall pre-ordered one for the dealership the very same day. Finally, fulfilling the primary reason for their trip, the team officially took delivery of Bluewater’s two new stock vessels. James A V I K I N G J O U R N E Y BLUEWATER BOUND VIKING 62C Length: 63’ 1” Beam: 18’ 11” Draft: 5’ 2” Fuel: 1,800 gal. Power: Twin Cat C32A @ 1,925hp VIKING 52SC Length: 53’ 2” Beam: 17’ 6” Draft: 4’ 11” Fuel: 1,200 gal. Power: MAN V12 CRM @ 1,400hp VIKING 42O Length: 42’ 7” Beam: 15’ 10” Draft: 3’ 5” Fuel: 525 gal. Power: Twin Cummins QSC @ 600hp 28 BLUEWATER