Viking Yachts‘ new 50 Convertible will make its world premiere this fall at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The third-generation 50 carries forward a legacy, with nearly 200 hulls across two earlier iterations. Introduced in the 1990s, the first-generation 50 was one of Viking’s most successful models.
“No one else in the industry can match our quality and versatility,” says Viking president and CEO Pat Healey. “We have the best team of designers, engineers and boatbuilders anywhere. The new 50 Convertible is an incredible achievement, and one we know our owners will be very pleased with.”
The 50 Convertible shares many design cues with Viking’s latest flagships: a flush foredeck for increased safety; a modified upper chine and aggressive strakes for a dry, stable ride; and recessed salon windows with signature radiused perimeters.
The hull, tankage and structural bulkheads are resin-infused to optimize strength and reduce weight, while light resin transfer molding and carbon fiber reinforcements further elevate the build. Specialized materials and advanced construction techniques ensure exceptional performance, durability, and world-class fit and finish.
The flybridge features a walkaround console with a recessed, black acrylic dash housing twin 22-inch multifunction displays. Seating includes a forward lounge with integrated arm rests, drink holders and storage, plus port and starboard benches. A refrigerated drink box is to starboard of the helm.
The 131-square-foot cockpit is built for both serious fishing and casual cruising. Anglers will appreciate the refrigerated in-deck fishboxes, the live well/fishbox in the transom, the Seakeeper-ready lazarette and flush-mounted rod holders. Mezzanine seating offers tackle and cooler storage, along with a freezer under the lounge. The cockpit also features a transom door with lift gate, recessed cleats with corner hawsepipes, and plenty of toe-kick space for fighting fish.
The bright, open-concept salon is appointed in horizontal-grain walnut (high-gloss or satin finish). An L-shaped lounge wraps around a walnut cocktail table to port, with a raised dinette offering panoramic views and rod storage below. A 43-inch television is mounted on the forward bulkhead.
The galley has a peninsula-style countertop and includes a standard icemaker, stainless steel sink, four-burner Miele cooktop, microwave/convection oven, and under-counter refrigerator and freezer drawers. Additional features include LED overhead lighting and abundant cabinet storage.
Below, the 50 has three staterooms and two full heads. The master stateroom is fitted with a queen walkaround berth, 32-inch television and private en-suite head. The forward guest stateroom can be configured with a queen berth or a crossover double/single layout. A starboard-side guest stateroom with upper and lower bunks shares access to the second head.
Powered by standard 1,000-mhp MAN V-8 diesels, the Viking 50 Convertible delivers exceptional speed, handling and range. Optimus electronic power steering ensures precise maneuverability whether chasing gamefish offshore or cruising the coast. The optimized length-to-beam ratio, honed through owner feedback and computational fluid dynamics modeling, provides a soft, dry ride even in challenging conditions.
Viking’s attention to engineering is evident in the engine room, with resin-infused stringers and aluminum reinforcements, meticulous component installations, composite seacocks and good systems access. A 21.5-kW generator powers the systems, with dedicated pumps for each seawater-fed application (A/C, live wells, Seakeeper, etc.). Optional equipment includes ElectroSea Clearline systems, omnidirectional sonar, and icemakers and watermakers. Viking subsidiaries Atlantic Marine Electronics and Palm Beach Towers will outfit the 50 Convertible with custom navigation and entertainment systems, as well as tournament-ready tuna towers.
