Viking never stops and on the heels of the 82 Convertible’s introduction the past Spring and in celebration of its sixtieth anniversary, the New Jersey based sportfish yacht specialist is proud to announce another tournament champion destined for greatness, the second-generation Viking 74. The 74 Convertible follows the iconic Viking 72, a 45-knot speed demon that saw 75 hulls built and sold. The goal with this new model was to design and build a 74-footer capable of similar top-end and cruising speeds. The team, which has been working together for more than 25 years came through big time, introducing a series of refinements. For instance, the 74’s strakes and chines are aggressive for increased spray deflection and lift, and the boat’s length-to-beam ratio was dialled in for excellent ride quality. In comparison, the Gen I Viking 74, built from 2004 through 2008, had a top speed of 37 knots with twin 2000hp MTUs, which reached forty knots when the 2400HP engines became available. Today’s 74 has the advantage of more horsepower with the 2600hp MTUs and hull design improvements. In addition, it’s available with the Advanced Viking Propulsion System which utilizes struts and rudders with modified twisted shapes that minimize hydrodynamic resistance, improving performance. Building materials and methods are also chosen to maximize strength and weight savings, with the hull, tankage, and structural bulkheads all resin infused, optimizing the fiberglass-to-resin ratio to bring the build to its greatest strength. Other construction processes, such as Light Resin Transfer Moulding, and the use of a variety of core materials, with specific densities for their location and carbon fibre contribute to overall build quality and industry-leading fit and finish. Significant weight-saving gains have also been made with the use of specific interior woods. A modified vinylester-epoxy resin is used throughout the hull for blister protection and structural performance. As any sportfish its all about the cockpit and 74 Convertible will have a twenty square meters cockpit, what is 25 centimetres longer to that of the replacing 72’s. The business end includes two full-length insulated in-deck fish boxes with split lids to port and starboard. A single hatch on centreline provides excellent access to the available Seakeeper. The walkthrough transom door with lift gate is on the port side, and the raised transom fish-box/live well is offered in two capacities. There’s an abundance of storage in the mezzanine; to port side is a tackle cabinet, an ice chipper storage box and a refrigerated step box. Access to the engine-room is via the centreline mezzanine steps, and there are two freezer boxes to starboard. The mezzanine seating boasts premium outdoor upholstery and has dry storage underneath. Guests can relax in the shade provided by the flybridge overhang. Mezzanine air conditioning is also available. The 74’s flybridge is designed with a high platform helm, which provides excellent cockpit visibility for the captain. The walkaround center console’s recessed black acrylic dash holds flush-mounted multifunction displays. The helm is clean, streamlined and operator-friendly with dual radio boxes with split lids housing instrumentation and controls, a helm pod, single lever electronic controls and a stainless-steel steering wheel. Air conditioning can be added to the helm, as well, which accommodates three Release Marine helm chairs with teak ladder backs. The console’s forward section is home to an integrated full-length lounge with a standard freezer below. There are also standard dual freezers forward , a feature carried down from the 82 to allow separate storage of different baits and/or food. The forward flybridge is equipped with a convenient sink and refrigerated drink box. Seating modules to port and starboard each hold back-to-back lounges with storage underneath. Enter in the cabin and into the salon from the mezzanine through a port-side electric sliding door. The interior’s horizontal-grain natural walnut is available in satin or gloss finishes. The in-house woodwork features meticulous joinery that includes dovetail drawers. A large sofa to starboard includes rod storage below and is accompanied by a walnut hi-lo table. Directly across from the lounge is an entertainment center, with a TV that rises from within the cabinetry. Forward on the port side, the raised dinette includes a walnut table, wraparound seating and rod storage in a pull-out drawer below. The galley is offered in two configurations: The standard U-shaped layout allows for a larger wraparound lounge, while the optional open galley features an island counter and is open to the lounge on the starboard side. With either arrangement, the galley has two under-counter refrigerators and one freezer, all Sub-Zero with ample countertop space and a second dining area with a raised bar and three stools. Galley highlights include Amtico flooring, a Miele four-burner electric cooktop (with optional conventional oven), a stainless-steel sink, a microwave/convection oven, a trash compactor, upper and lower cabinetry and drawer storage. A pantry forward of the galley provides additional storage. The 74’s standard accommodation plan consists of four staterooms, each with an ensuite head with separate shower. The forepeak layout also features a standard rod and tackle room, located on the port side. The crew quarters can be accessed via a separate staircase at the foot of the companionway stairs or through a forward engine-room door. The spacious master stateroom features a king walkaround bed with storage underneath, two oak-lined hanging closets and space for up to a large TV on the forward bulkhead. A walkaround queen bed (with storage underneath) in the forward stateroom is standard, while a crossover arrangement (with a full-size bunk and upper bunk) is optional. The starboard and crew staterooms are appointed with upper and lower berths and hanging lockers. If maximum sleeping capacity is what you’re looking for, a fifth stateroom (with upper and lower bunks) is available in lieu of the rod and tackle room. The five-stateroom layout with the forward crossover arrangement provides berths for eleven people. The engine-room to be finished in Snow White Awlgrip for easier maintenance is a marvel of marine engineering. It’s equipped with chilled water air conditioning, ventilation and fire suppression systems, a pair of 29 kW generators with voltage and electronic frequency control and is engineered for the installation of omnidirectional sonar. Optional equipment such as water makers and water purifiers and ice machines are expertly installed in the engine-room as well. The standard SeaStrong seal-less pumps in our Centralized Seawater System reduce complexity and increase reliability and component longevity throughout the boat. The 74 is also offered with the Clearline System, which uses chlorinated water to prevent marine growth in seawater plumbing lines. Set to make her world premiere at the 2024 Fort Lauderdale boat show this fall, the Viking 74 Convertible is standard powered with twin Man 1550hp, with six other options which go up to twin 2635hp MTU's as fitted to hull One.. The Viking 74 will also be offered as an Enclosed Bridge model, with tuna tower or Sky Bridge option.
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