A lot of boatbuilders use the term “hybrid” when explaining a new model. The moniker can refer to propulsion options or a versatile layout. In the case of the Valhalla V-29 Hybrid, however, it’s all about fishing.
The V-29 Hybrid was designed for anglers who want a stylish, high-performance center console that is equally at home fishing a shallow bay or coastal estuary as it is trolling for bluewater pelagics. To build a boat that can fish the shallows and offshore represents a wide gap in wants and needs from a fishing perspective. While it might sound easy to pencil out a hybrid boat that can do it all, you have to factor in hull shape, draft, on-board storage, live well capacity, electronics, power options and range, not to mention all the different fishing accessories for a wide range of species and techniques.
Over the last few years, prototypical bay boats have seen a major growth spurt, with 30-plus-footers falling into this segment because they don’t draw as much water as a deep-vee center console of the same size. What bay boats lack, however, is the freeboard to head offshore and fish comfortably all day. The V-29 Hybrid blurs the lines between bay boat and offshore center console.
The V-29 is also large for a bay boat — 29 feet, 6 inches with a beam of 9 feet, 8 inches. This sizable footprint gives Valhalla room to include all of the seating, deck space, fishboxes, gear, equipment and, most important, the fuel capacity and range you want on a boat that is meant for chasing tarpon in the morning and tuna in the afternoon. The V-29 holds 180 gallons of fuel.
After walking through the V-29 on the boat-show circuit, I was excited to get out on the water and see what it can do. I boarded the boat at the Viking/Valhalla facility in Riviera Beach, Florida, for a sea trial with Sean Healey at the helm. The Valhalla V-29 rides on a Michael Peters Stepped-V Ventilated Tunnel hull, which reduces drag while increasing speed, efficiency and stability. Valhalla models are offered with different power packages and a range of options, so no two are exactly the same. Our test boat had twin 300-hp Mercury Verados.
As soon as we nudged out of the no-wake zone, Healey punched the throttles down, and the boat leapt up on plane with no discernible bow rise. It took off like it was shot out of a cannon. Valhalla’s engineering team devised a paddle system on both sides of the steering wheel to control the trim of the outboards and the height of the jackplate without taking your hands off the wheel. It’s very similar to the shift paddles found in the automotive world.
We hit a wide-open speed of about 50 knots, but Healey felt the boat could do better if given a longer runway than what we had in the ICW. The boat handled incredibly well in all the maneuvers we asked of it. Hard-over turns were executed with ease, and the midrange power made me grab a handhold. We found a comfortable cruise at 37 knots, and with a full tank on board, you’ve got the range to open up a lot of fishing options.
On the bow, the V-29 had a Minn Kota Instinct self-deploying trolling motor. In typical Valhalla fashion, the builder created a custom mounting bracket so the trolling motor can deploy without touching the toe rail and potentially damaging the gray faux-painted wood grain.
Our test boat sported a removable sunpad cushion insert in the bow seating. Without the cushion inserted, there’s plenty of room to fight fish up here, though you might want to move aft to boat fish. There’s 45 inches of freeboard at the bow, another testament to the boat’s ability to run offshore comfortably.
The V-29 is engineered for an optional Seakeeper 1 installation in the forward section of the console under the lounge. It’s nice to have this spot designated for the gyro so you don’t have to sacrifice a head or valuable dry storage. Valhalla adheres to the idea that you can never have too much rod storage. There are rod holders on both sides of the lounge seat forward of the console, and more on the hardtop and leaning post, as well as two midships lockable boxes that can fit 10 rods (five in each hatch) up to 7 feet. Insulated fishboxes are built into the deck.
The bow seating is comfortable and versatile. Owners can choose from different materials and colors with options to create an entertainment area worthy of a yacht. The inside console area offers a head and access to electronics.
You won’t find many right angles on this boat. Like all Valhallas, the V-29 has soft, curved lines to give it a sexy look that any boat nut would appreciate. I believe that’s why the builder chose a curved windshield. The windshield gives the V-29 a classic sportfish look and clear visibility with no frames getting in the way.
The centerline helm is sleek and functional. The wheel is mounted on a faux-teak Palm Beach-style pod with easy access to a pair of 19-inch Garmin displays and a row of backlit switches to control the necessities.
Bench-style helm seating with storage underneath is standard, and owners can upgrade to Release Marine or Llebroc helm chairs with flip-up bolsters and armrests. Valhalla offers a few options for the leaning post as well. This V-29 had a leaning post with a hatch that folds down to create a work station for rigging up baits, with slots for Plano tackle trays and a shelf. A large drawer below is perfect for pliers, knives, lures and boxes of hooks. Below the tackle center is a cooler that slides aft so smoothly you can easily deploy it with one hand. There’s a cushion atop the cooler, so it does double duty as a mezzanine seat.
The aft section of the cockpit is smartly designed. Valhalla placed 25-gallon live wells on each side of a fold-away center seat. For those who fish lots of live bait, the company offers a tank option for the leaning post. The live wells are insulated so you can use them as coolers for drinks. You can open the live wells from the water, which is handy on those days you’re hanging out at a sandbar.
I really love the access to pumps, seacocks and filters you get when you lift the hatch below the center seat. Twin power poles make staking out a one-click-of-a-button affair. When you have all the aft hatches closed, it creates anaft casting deck.
Like larger Valhalla models, the V-29’s optional hardtop comes with a five-rod rocket launcher, molded-in electronics pod, radar pod, lighting and speakers. This V-29 sported a pair of telescoping Gemlux outriggers. Valhalla offers an optional second station for those looking to spot cobia near shore and color breaks offshore.
For anglers looking to fish waters that are less than waist deep out to hundreds of fathoms with all of the speed and comfort expected of a Valhalla, the V-29 Hybrid is a great option. Is the V-29 a bay boat? Sure. Is it also an offshore boat? No doubt about it.
SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 29’6”
BEAM: 9’8”
DISPLACEMENT: (twin Mercury V-6 225s) 9,800 pounds full
DRAFT: (engine down, jack plate up): 25”
FUEL: 180 gallons
WATER: 40 gallons
MAX POWER: 600 hp
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