During the Miami boat show Viking announced and showcased the renderings for an upcoming new 50 Convertible. The third generation 50 Convertible will be the first of a quadrumvirate of fifteen meter Viking's to come in the Open, the Sport Coupe/Sport Tower, and the Billfish sharing the same hull but different in the rest. The 50 Convertible comes as a replacement to the third generation 48, which saw eighty boats delivered in the Convertible, Open, and SC/ST. The 50 Convertible is set to debut for the 2025 Fort Lauderdale boat show, a model that shares design traits with the latest larger Vikings: flush foredeck for increased safety; modified upper chine and aggressive strakes for improved spray deflection and a dry ride, stylish feature lines on the hull, deckhouse, and bridge; and recessed salon windows highlighted with radiused perimeters. The flybridge features a streamlined walk-around center console with a recessed black acrylic dash holding two touchscreen Multifunction Displays. The captain has excellent sightlines to the cockpit, and a dropdown electronics box can be integrated into the fiberglass hardtop, just forward of another space dedicated for teaser reels. A lounge with armrests and drink holders is integrated into the forward section of the console, with storage beneath. Additional padded bench seating is to port and starboard. Immediately to starboard of the helm is a refrigerated drink box. The 50's length-to-beam ratio has been optimized for maximum speed and a soft, dry ride. To maximize strength and minimize weight, specific construction materials and methods are utilized to build the Viking 50. The hull along with all tankage and structural bulkheads are resin-infused to optimize the fiberglass-to-resin ratio, achieving exceptional strength. Additional construction techniques, such as Light Resin Transfer Moulding, along with the incorporation of various core materials, with specific densities based on their location and the use of carbon fibre increase overall build quality and ensure industry-leading fit and finish. Significant weight savings have also been achieved with specially selected interior woods. Throughout the hull, a modified vinilester-epoxy resin is employed for blister protection and improved structural performance. The business end centres around the twelve square meters cockpit, which is equipped with large, insulated in-deck fish boxes that can be refrigerated. The transom holds a live well that doubles as a fish box or a place to store gear. Anglers have toe-kick space in every direction and rounded coamings for comfort. The boat is engineered for the installation of a Seakeeper 10 or 14, with the unit mounted in a dedicated space on centreline in the lazarette, protected by a watertight lid with compression latches. There's a freezer under the mezzanine's lounge seat, along with a cooler beneath the step. On centreline, you have access to the engine-room. On the port side, there’s additional cooler storage and a tackle cabinet. The flybridge overhang provides shade. The cockpit also features a transom door with a lift gate, recessed stainless steel cleats with corner hawse pipes for easy line handling and power cord management. The coamings are fitted with four flush-mounted rod holders (with the option for more) and optional haunch rod holders. Accommodations Step into the salon, and you'll be delighted by its open-concept, contemporary design that accentuates the natural light flowing through the large windows. The interior's horizontal grain walnut can be ordered in high gloss or satin. In keeping with its clean, spacious styling, the salon features overhead strip LED lighting bordered by walnut. To port, you'll find an L-shaped lounge and a walnut cocktail table. New to this size of Viking is a raised dinette, which provides excellent visibility outside and storage for rods in a slide-out drawer below. Another convenience is the standard icemaker, located at the inboard end of the peninsula-style galley's countertop. There’s also a refrigerator and a freezer under the counter, each with two pull-out drawers. The galley is appointed with a stainless steel sink, a Miele four-burner cooktop and cabinet storage above, that includes a standard microwave oven. Viking interior designers are constantly striving to provide you with the utmost comfort while maximizing the interior volume. Depending on your choice of accommodation plan, you can comfortably sleep up to nine people on the 50. The master stateroom located at midships to port-side is appointed with a walkaround queen bed, and an ensuite head with a large shower. A spacious forward stateroom can be appointed with either a queen bed or a crossover arrangement featuring a double lower bunk and a single upper bunk. The second guest stateroom, located aft on the starboard side, features upper and lower bunks and private access to the guest head, which is shared with the forward stateroom. Storage is plentiful throughout the staterooms, with cavernous compartments beneath the queen berths, hanging lockers and other cabinet spaces. The Viking 50 Convertible is to be powered by standard Man 1000hp or optional 1200hp engines. Speed data is not yet specified by Viking says exceptional, so to the least this should be in the high thirties.
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