includes integral stainless steel plates to guard the hull against the shackle and towline rubbing. Another unique addition is a windlass mounted on the stern of the boat. John Leek IV, Valhalla Boatworks Manager, explains, “the stern windlass was an interesting customization that is specific to their Caribbean use, in order to tie up to sandbars and islands for swimming and snorkeling.” The intstallation involved a custom anchor fairlead on the integrated swim platform situated outside of the starboard engine. “What we refer to as the transom bustle—or more familiar, the engine bracket and swim platform— provided enough space for the anchor fairlead to run out to the side,” Leek says. For those Caribbean winters spent snorkeling and diving, the standard portside dive door with integrated, collapsible boarding ladder was further upgraded with a custom boarding handle to help guests to enter and exit the water more easily. The Valhalla engineering team did well to plan these upgrades and customizations into the build process, allowing the production team to maintain their efficiency. Leek states, “It took a little extra time at the end of the production line, but we were able to complete all the customizations here in Mullica.” PREPARED FOR ANY POND Viking’s partner and subsidiary, Atlantic Marine Electronics (AME) was brought on for additional systems installations to maintain communication between the mothership and tender when in operation and while unmanned. AME Sales Manager, Chad Clarke explains, “We installed a GOST Evolution security system to provide satellite tracking and two-way communication with the mothership.” Clarke says working with the GOST system is familiar to his team, but the addition of a mothership and two-way communication necessitated working with GOST representatives to learn what components would best accomplish the tasks at hand. In addition to the communication part of the security system aboard the Valhalla V-46, they also installed high water alarms in the bilge areas and a door sensor for the dive door that would alert if the door became unlatched or opened while in tow. Around-the-clock satellite tracking of the V-46 will allow the captain and crew of the mothership to know almost immediately if something goes awry with this massive tender. Although the GOST Evolution system and required navigational lighting for vessels under tow are designed to be energy efficient, the owner requested solar panels be installed on the hardtop to ensure the batteries remain charged while under tow. “Travel plans for this superyacht charter operation include transiting the Atlantic for a few days in a row and the tow lights and GOST could drain the batteries if not for the solar panels,” Leek says. The V-46’s power was optioned at 1,800 hp, thanks to a triple configuration of Mercury’s latest high-output V12 outboards, rated at 600 hp each. After taking delivery of their customized yacht tender, the captain in charge of the yacht’s toys wintered the V-46 in Palm Beach in preparation for a summer on the Chesapeake Bay while the mothership runs charters in the Mediterranean. Once the superyacht returns to the Caribbean next winter, her newest toy will officially join the fleet, allowing all her impressive features and customizations to be utilized by Captain and crew. The transom mounted anchor & windlass Captain Gareth Suckling poses with Bluewater’s Connor Hall 42 BLUEWATER
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