Collection Gift Guide: Norse Marauder
December 1, 2004
VIKING 74 CONVERTIBLE
If you don’t understand the attraction of deep-sea tournament fishing, you
probably never will. The experience is either a thrilling, primordial fight
between man and beast, or a pointless, tiresome struggle that is more hard work
than fun. Fortunately for avid fishermen with friends and family who do not
share their passion, there’s a boat that caters to both camps: the Viking 74
Convertible.
First and foremost, the 74 is a tournament fishing machine, and Viking designed the boat for the task from the keel up. Before building it, the company tank tested a model of the hull at the Steven Institute of Technology to determine the optimum engine package. You don’t have to be a naval architect to see the shape’s efficiency. One look at her aggressive profile and broad beam and you know that the 74 offers the ideal combination of sea worthiness and speed.
Appearances are not deceiving; equipped with twin-MTU 16V Series 2000 engines, the big Viking has an independently verified top speed of 36.7 knots. That is an important number for sportsmen who spend infinitely more time chasing big fish than landing them. Equally important, the 74 handles heavy seas and big swellswith ease. It is also a nimble beast, capable of all the right moves in the heat of battle.
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The boat’s “war room” is the aft deck. The rear cockpit features 218 square feet
of working room and storage space for enough fishing gear to fill a tackle shop.
The built-in freezers are equally capacious and handy. All the units place the
necessary equipment within easy reach, without getting in the way of the job at
hand. There are also dozens of small touches to make deep-sea angling more
pleasant: a built-in nonslip floor, nozzles that spray a cooling mist on the
working fisherman, electric teaser reels that retract at the push of a
button, and more. In short, the Viking 74 was designed by fishermen for
fishermen. (Click image to enlarge)
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For those who prefer the cruising side of the deep-sea equation, the 74 offers
superb accommodations and comfort. The interior welcomes boaters with a mixture
of hand-finished teak and polished chrome. Although the 74’s customers select
the furnishings, the basic decor is restrained, elegant, and perfectly
constructed–a welcome change from the brash decor and subtle corner-cutting that
afflicts many yachts in this class. (Click image to enlarge)
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The 74’s galley exemplifies the thought and care Viking has put into the boat’s
interior. The design seamlessly integrates a Sub-Zero under-counter
refrigerator, a trash compactor, an electric cooktop, a large oven, and a
microwave. A multitude of deep pullout drawers can shelter enough dry goods for
a six-week cruise. And the flow is ideal; the U-shaped island opposite the sink
and stove allows the cook to entertain guests while keeping an eye on the
(allegedly) all-important outdoor action. (Click image to enlarge)
If passengers prefer entertainment of the cinematic variety, the 74’s gracious saloon is equipped with the latest home theater system, complete with a pop-up plasma TV and surround sound. Viewers never need to strain to hear the soundtrack over an air conditioner’s constant whistle and drone. The yacht’s climate control system circulates cool air throughout the boat via concealed registers hidden behind the valances, a setup that eliminates dreaded drafts, hot spots, and noise.
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