Valhalla Boatworks Announces 55-foot Flagship

Valhalla Boatworks to add a 55-foot vessel to its growing lineup.

By Gary Reich

February 4, 2022

Valhalla Boatworks, a division of Viking Yachts, just announced plans to build a flagship 55-foot center console, the V-55.

“There will be nothing like it,” said Viking president and CEO Pat Healy this morning at the Viking and Valhalla VIP show in Riviera Beach, Fla. “We’re setting a new standard by bringing together the qualities of a large center console and a luxury sportfishing yacht.”

The new boat joins the V-33, V-37, V-41 and V-46 models in the Valhalla lineup. The announcement comes a year after the V-46 was introduced and less than three years since the Viking Yacht Co. division launched the first three Valhalla center consoles.

Michael Peters Yacht Design drew up the V-55 hull, which will be the largest built with Peters’ patented Stepped-V Ventilated Tunnel, according to Valhalla. The deep-vee design has a 22.5-degree transom deadrise and a 15-foot, 6-inch beam, which the builder said will be the beamiest center console between 50 and 60 feet.

The hull will be the largest resin-infused center console of its kind, according to Valhalla, using both fiberglass and hybrid carbon fiber/e-glass fabrics. The structural stringer grid, deck, hull liners and hardtop also are resin-infused. The stringer grid is engineered to accommodate a gyroscopic stabilizer.

Quad V-12 600-hp Mercury Verados will be standard, and quintuple 600-hp Mercurys will be an option. Fuel capacity is 1,200 gallons. Estimated performance figures were not available at press time, but this boat will definitely fly.

The V-55 will feature a fishing-heavy deck plan with plenty of seating. The under-console, walnut-trimmed cabin offers 6 feet, 10 inches of headroom. Amenities will include a galley, an L-shaped lounge and a forward private stateroom with queen-size island berth, an en-suite head, a standalone shower and 32-inch flatscreen television.

At 15 feet, 6 inches, the V-55 has more beam than any other center console from 50 to 60 feet. That width brings a host of advantages on deck and in the cabin. Dual 65-gallon live wells anchor an immense cockpit, comparable to a convertible’s business end. Flip-down transom seats can be integrated into the cockpit corners.

Twin insulated fish boxes flank the centerline Seakeeper hatch and the lazarette – both finished with a white gelcoat for better visibility and maintenance. Fuel filters; bilge pumps and switches, live well and fish box pumps; live well manifolds; the Hooker Sea Chest System; the freshwater engine flush and other components are expertly installed, neatly labeled and readily accessible in the lazarette.

The new Valhalla is designed for up to nine forward-facing chairs in two rows under the hardtop. The fiberglass seating modules sit on a raised teak-clad platform for increased visibility; the aft unit includes a four-person aft-facing mezzanine seat with refrigeration underneath and a grill (starboard) and sink (port). The center of the backrest folds down to reveal tackle storage with Plano boxes and a large drawer. Rod holders and cupholders line the top of the module. The second row has a pair of convenient designated refrigerated drink boxes in the deck, as well as footrest and cupholder areas.

“We’re providing all the strengths of our Valhalla design — everything from the style and aesthetics to the ride quality and fishability — in a center console large enough to accommodate a private stateroom, head with separate shower and overnighting space for additional crew,” Viking design manager David Wilson said. “We wanted to give our owners the ability to spend more time on board with family and friends — to go farther, stay longer and bring along more guests.”

^{This story originally appeared on Trade Only.}