February 20, 2019

New Model: Viking 38 Billfish

Viking is known for its consistent production of fresh designs throughout its entire size range, from its smallest sportfish cruiser boat to its largest super yacht. The 55 years company’s latest innovation, the 38 Billfish, fills a vast void in the sportfishing market with a winning combination of versatility, comfort and performance.  The 38 Billfish was designed and built with the same genetic makeup as her predecessor, the 37, as an owner operator sportfish cruiser.  The 38 Billfish offers simplicity and ease of maintenance, serving as a ready-to-go fishing machine equipped for inshore and offshore missions and as a cruising boat with reliable inboard diesel power.  The 38 Billfish’s cockpit, which measures ten square meters, is equipped with a laminated in-deck mounting plate for fighting chair, rocket launcher or table installations. Other big-boat features include in-deck insulated fish boxes port and starboard, a walk-through transom door and lift gate, a bait freezer with upper tray, a transom fish box and live well, rod holders, tackle storage and fresh and raw-water wash downs. Two-person, mezzanine-style seats flank the center-line walk-through, and there’s refrigerated drink storage, as well as ample general storage throughout.  The 38 Billfish’s command deck holds a salon-like living area that includes a port-side U-shaped dinette and a fiberglass hi-lo table. A comfortable lounge to starboard also serves as rod storage. You have the option of equipping your 38 Billfish with a second lower helm station on the starboard side, which provides immediate access to the cockpit.  Like her convertible brethren, the 38 Billfish’s flybridge is designed with a tournament-style center console walk-around helm. The 38 Billfish has Palm Beach-style controls and power-assist hydraulic steering. Seating includes a single Release Marine teak chair, a second helm chair is available as option, lounges are located to port and starboard, and a forward console seat. A three-sided Costa Clear enclosure provides weather protection and gin-clear visibility. Below deck, the new Viking 38 Billfish makes full use of its four plus meter beam to maximize comfort and utility. Hand-finished, high-gloss teak joinery and Amtico flooring complement an elegant climate-controlled living environment. The private head, which is conveniently located immediately to port of the companionway stairs, has a large walk-in shower with satin nickel fixtures, an attractive Corian-topped vanity with sink and storage and an upper medicine cabinet. The starboard-side L-shaped galley is fully appointed with a Corian counter-top, a two-burner electric stove, a microwave/convection oven, cabinet storage and under-counter drawer-style refrigeration with a built-in ice maker.  Rest up in the private forward stateroom, which is offered with island queen or crossover berth arrangements. There’s plenty of storage, with a pair of hanging lockers with drawers underneath as well as a port-side rod locker. The island queen layout also features a starboard-side upper storage cabinet.  As Viking continues to develop the Billfish series, the building methods and materials have gained efficiency, which adds even more value to these boats. A modified vinilester resin is used in the entire hull skin. End-grain balsa and closed-cell foam are used as coring materials in selected areas for optimized strength and stiffness while minimizing weight. The single integral fiberglass fuel tank, sealed to the hull with resin foam, is resin infused with balsa coring on all sides for stiffness. The hull-to-deck joint is mechanically fastened every three inches and fiber-glassed inside.  For ease of maintenance, each engine and other critical machinery is located beneath electrically-actuated hatches in the command deck area. The Billfish is designed and built with many of the same mechanical systems, components and technologies found on larger Vikings. Examples include the Delta-T engine room ventilation system and a fire suppression system that’s automatically or manually operated and tied into the main engine and generator ignitions.  Running gear includes Class “S” pitch tolerance propellers with dynamic balancing and bronze struts, sea-cocks and rudders. The engine-room, lazarette and forward bilges are painted with Snow White Awlgrip for increased visibility and ease of maintenance. A large center-line hatch gives you quick access to the engines, optional Seakeeper gyro and water maker, and fuel tank fittings. Powered with twin Cummins 550hp, estimated top speed is 35-plus knots with a cruise of 31 knots.
Technical Data:
LOA - 11.79 m (38.8ft)
Beam - 4.27 m
Draft - 1.02 m
Displacement - 14040 kg loaded
Fuel Capacity - 1741 l
Water Capacity - 261 l
Engines - 2 x Cummins QSB 6.7 550hp
Propulsion - line shaft with Class S propellers
Speed - 35 knots max 31 knots cruise
Construction - Vinilester resin skin, end grain balsa and closed cell foam core used in selected parts

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