OnBoard Magazine - Issue XI - Summer 2019

V iking CEO Pat Healey recently announced the creation of a new brand called Valhalla Boatworks at their winter VIP event and Miami Boat Shows. The mission of this company is to take the signature Viking quality that has been seen in their sportfishing and motor yachts and integrate it into a new generation of high performance center consoles. “The idea for a Viking-built center console was born seventeen years ago and has been brought to the table on several occasions,” says Chris Landry, Viking’s Director of Communications. “Pat Healey and his team felt the time was right for this project for several reasons, and one of them is our Mullica plant, which began operating in 2016. This Viking facility provides a dedicated manufacturing space to carry out the Valhalla Boatworks vision.” The initial lineup of boats will range in size from 33 to 41 feet, feature outboard power, and be offshore-ready with custom-engineered, deep-v, stepped hulls. In coordination with world- renowned Michael Peters Yacht Design, the Viking Design and Engineering team has developed these models with the fisherman in mind. Like their inboard- powered siblings, these new large center consoles will provide reliability, stability and efficiency. TELL ME MORE, PLEASE Valhalla Boatworks’ first models include the V-33, V-37 and V-41. All three models will have a similar look and feel, while the larger models will have increased space in the cockpit, helm and console and of course more horsepower hanging off the transom. Four-stroke outboards from Mercury and Yamaha with horsepower ratings from 300 to 425 in twin, triple or quad configurations, depending on the model, will provide the power for the V-Series. The V-37, for instance, can be powered with four different propulsion packages. “Viking feels strongly that they should offer the right power that is a good fit for the boat,” explains Bluewater Partner and Salesman, Jud Black. These new center consoles are constructed with what is called a Stepped-V Ventilated VIKING LAUNCHES NEW CENTER CONSOLE BRAND: VALHALLA BOATWORKS ANSWERING THE CALL 30 BLUEWATER