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The V-55 from Valhalla literally stretches the definition of an outboard-­powered center-console fishing boat, merging the genre with what genuinely qualifies as a yacht. That’s not surprising given that Valhalla’s sister brand is Viking Yachts. Quad V-12 600 hp Mercury outboards provide the get-up- and-go for the Michael Peters-patented Stepped-V Ventilated Tunnel running surface. And oh, does it go, achieving a top speed of 62.8 mph, even while rigged with a tuna tower, a second control station and a molded fiberglass hardtop. An electrically operated fuel-­management system enables each engine to draw from a designated fuel tank. The V-55 is also available with five 600-hp Mercury Verados for a top speed of 70-plus mph.

A large standard equipment list complements an exhaustive option sheet to build this 55-foot-7-inch fishing machine with total customization. Stepping aboard through the port or starboard dive doors, the 15 1/2-foot beam creates an immense ­cockpit ideal for offshore fishing. Dual ­65-gallon pressurized livewells with glass fronts are built into the transom and flanked with fold-down seats. Overboard discharge drains in the transom corners accommodate additional on-deck livewells. Twin insulated 110-gallon fishwells with refrigeration were set up in the cockpit on my test boat, with an Eskimo ice-dump receptacle to starboard. Gunwale rod holders line the coaming, and 12-volt electric reel outlets are a popular option. 

For service, a large lazarette hatch provides access to a seven-­position manifold and twin Hooker sea chests, one for the ­air-conditioning system and one for the livewells. A second Hooker ­livewell pump in place serves as an ­instant standby. Raw-water intake and circulating lines are protected with an ElectroSea ClearLine system. The gelcoated lazarette is easy to maintain and delivers safe and swift ­access to ­fuel filters, water separators, two Rule 2000 bilge pumps with Ultimate float switches, and a Reverso auto outboard flush system. Wiring and plumbing are neat, secure and well-labeled. 

Forward of the lazarette hatch is a second watertight hatch and home for the Seakeeper 9 ­gyrostabilizer. This hatch also supports a Release Marine eight-rod rocket launcher. Aft-facing mezzanine seating features molded armrests, ­tackle stowage, eight more rod ­holders and seven drink holders. Beneath the mezzanine cushions are more compartments that can be ordered as chill boxes. Forward of the mezzanine in the second-row seat module are stowage compartments. Aboard the test boat, these included an electric grill, a sink and a flat-screen TV. Below the mezzanine, reached from the second row, is still more stowage, and a place to carry a helium tank or two for kite-fishing. 

Amidships are side lockers for stowing four outfits per side and the dive-door ladder. Anglers will enjoy the 24-inch-wide walkways, 41 inches of freeboard, a recessed bow rail and a ­186-gallon fish box. Built into the center lounge is a 40-gallon livewell. Both the port and starboard forward lounges, each with stowage below, end before reaching the bow, so there are no cushions to step on. The 10-inch-tall teak step provides good footing while still retaining 30 inches of freeboard. 

To make sure everyone is comfortable, the first row of seating at the air-conditioned helm features four 19-inch Release Marine teak helm chairs with armrests, electric slides and flip-up bolsters. But the comfort does not stop there; you can ­order a second row of seating in ­either a four- or five-chair arrangement. With the latter, you can seat a party of nine. A second version of the V-55 trades the second-row seating for a U-shaped lounge with a power-­actuated teak table that converts to a two-person berth.

A ProCurve glass windshield with a custom one-piece wraparound fiberglass frame provides undistorted visibility. The raised black dash accommodates three 22-inch Garmin 8622 multifunction displays. A Mercury MFD monitors the engines directly in front of the wheel. Single-lever Mercury controls are to starboard, along with the Mercury joystick and a SidePower electric bow-thruster joystick. Two banks of Bocatech 12-volt switches operate accessories. 

Read Next: Valhalla V-46

A sliding door that disappears into a pocket starboard of the helm leads below to reveal posh overnight accommodations that include a private stateroom with a walk-around queen bed, a 24-inch flat-screen TV, a Bomar overhead hatch, side windows, an enclosed head, and a separate fiberglass shower stall. A full-featured galley, a dinette that converts to a single bunk, a 32-inch flat-screen TV, and a pair of bunks aft make excellent use of the space. 

The aft machinery room contains a Fischer Panda 15 kW generator, a Kuuma water heater, batteries and a pair of ProNautic charging systems, a Parker Pro Mini ­watermaker, and a Spot Zero water purifier. 

From design to construction to performance to accommodations and fishability, Viking broke new ground with its Valhalla V-55. Coupled with outfitting from Palm Beach Towers and Atlantic Marine Electronics, the V-55 sets a new standard for supersize center-console fishing ­machines. 

Specifications

Valhalla Boatworks – Egg Harbor City, New Jersey; valhallaboatworks.com

The post Valhalla V-55 appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

Hot on the heels of the successful introductions of its 33-, 37- and 41-foot luxury center-consoles, Valhalla Boatworks has launched the V-46, a larger model that blurs the line between open boats and the refined sport-fishers produced by Viking Yachts, its parent company. 

The V-46 build process begins with Viking’s computer-driven five-axis router, which carves the plugs for the hull, deck liner, coaming and all other parts. The plugs are then used to manufacture the fiberglass molds to build the boat. To increase strength and reduce weight, the hull, deck and hardtop are built with rigid foam coring, then finished with blister-resistant vinylester resins. The fit-and-finish is as perfect as you’ll find on the finest yachts. All hatches have deep drain channels and gaskets that fit into molded channels to keep them in place and functioning as designed. 

Starting at the bow, the Valhalla features an anchor locker with a windlass and freshwater washdown inside. A pair of upholstered bench seats with storage beneath are located forward and, when combined with the sun lounge molded into the cabin, create a social area for six or more. The largest of the fish boxes is located in-deck, between the forward seats. Two additional fish boxes are found on each side of the cabin house, with two others in the cockpit sole. 

The cabin door swings out and away, and locks in the open position for easy entry. The cabin includes a compact galley, a dinette that converts to a queen berth, and a private, enclosed head. A hatchway in the head’s aft bulkhead provides access to the stand-up machinery room housing six batteries in fiberglass boxes, two 60-amp ProMariner chargers, water heater, Sea-Fire fire suppression system, access panels, Delta T ventilation system to keep the area cool and condensation free, and a 9 kW Fischer Panda diesel genset to power the air-conditioner.  

The large hardtop complements a wraparound, molded-glass windshield with fiberglass frame. Together, they protect the impressive helm station with controls to center, radio boxes on each side of the steering wheel, and a sleek dash with three oversize Garmin multifunction displays set in a flush, black acrylic frame. Seven Release chairs provide two rows of seating. Abaft the second row, mezzanine seats, with rod and drink holders on the backrest, accommodate three more crew. There’s a two-zone refrigerated chest under the seat, and the backrest hides a massive built-in tackle-storage system. 

The cockpit sole has two hatches on the centerline: One opens a dedicated compartment for the Seakeeper SK6 gyrostabilizer, and the other provides access to the lazarette and the Hooker sea-chest pump system feeding the dual 54-gallon in-transom livewells, with water flow adjusted from the helm. The boat can also be plumbed for two removable deck livewells to carry more bait or a wider variety. 

Much more than a head-turner, the V-46 was designed to address the hardcore fisherman’s needs. It is festooned with flush rod holders, its Gemlux outriggers can be augmented with electric teaser reels, and standard features and options, like two upper-station configurations—a marlin tower and a full-gap tower—are too many to list in full. 

The V-46 rides on a patented Michael Peters Yacht Design twin-stepped-V ventilated tunnel running surface. The steps make the boat faster and more efficient by reducing drag, but what sets the Peters design apart from other step hulls is the improved stability and Formula One-type handling derived from the tunnel in the aftmost running surface, which greatly improves tracking and agility. 

During our test, the strengths of the hull design were on full display. 

Read Next: Fishability Test: Valhalla V-37

Powered by four Mercury 450R outboards, our test boat speed reached the high 60s, and Valhalla claims that without bottom paint, the V-46 has topped 70. Downright nimble, the boat performed tight turns at speed without a hint of slip or slide, a concern—of varying degrees—on some other step-hull designs. Acceleration was quick and with minimal bow rise, steering and throttle input inspired confidence from the get-go, and the Zipwake trim system made adjusting the running attitude easy. The Optimus Electronic Power Steering proved so precise and well-matched to the Valhalla that it seemed to ride on rails.

For extended range and better fuel management, three fuel cells offer a 694-gallon capacity, and the control system permits the helmsman to feed any engine from any of the available tanks. 

Performance with quad 450s is outstanding, yet the horsepower rating allows for a foursome of Mercury V-12 600s, music to the ears of owners with an itch for speed. 

Test Conditions

• Weather: Sunny, 66 degrees
• Location: New Gretna, New Jersey
• Wind: Light and variable Sea State: Calm Test Load: 3 adults, 453 gallons of fuel, 50 gallons of water, painted bottom

Specifications

Valhalla Boatworks – valhallaboatworks.com

The post Valhalla Boatworks V-46 Fishability Test appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

After closely inspecting and spending time aboard the V-37 out on the water, it became clear this fishing machine is a winner.

Reinvented naval architect Michael Peters—in concert with Viking’s head of design, David Wilson—designed the Valhalla hulls. The V-37s incorporate twin steps and an innovative tunnel on the aft planing surface, resulting in superb boat handling. Our test boat was rigged with triple Yamaha F300 outboards, leaving room for 300 more horses for anyone who’d rather opt for max power. The distinctive bow, gently sloping sheer, double forward chines, elegant helm pod, and raised toe rails are design elements borrowed from Viking’s sport-fishing yachts. The tasteful tumblehome bustle supporting the engine platform is a look unto itself.

True to Viking, quality construction, fit and finish are front and center. Valhalla models consist of the hull, a stringer grid, deck liner and coaming ring. All are fitted with a belowdecks centerline mount for an optional Seakeeper 3.

The molds are sculpted using a five-axis, computer-controlled milling system that maintains super-tight tolerances. All components are cored with closed-cell foam and vacuum-infused for the best strength-to-weight ratio.

The deck layout is available with or without forward seating, and our demo featured an open bow with extra fishing room. Three helm seating arrangements are available, with a tackle-and-rigging station or optional aft-facing mezzanine seats. A 360-degree padded bolster surrounds the interior, and forward lounge seating is built into the console. There are vertical rod holders alongside the lounge.

The V-37 is a live-baiter’s dream. The 56-gallon transom livewell can be supplemented with an optional pitch-bait well under the lounge seats and an in-deck well, all fed by a Hooker Electric sea-chest system with external, quick-change pumps. A 2,500 gph pump is standard; a 4,500 is optional. Both are variable speed to accommodate the -water-flow rates needed for different baits. The flow control is inside the helm’s glove box. Five in-deck storage areas can be plumbed to serve as fish boxes, with the largest (123 gallons) in the bow. A Whale Gulper macerator handles pump-out.

The demo boat had 18 gunwale rod holders, eight around the lounge seat, six behind the helm chairs, and six on the T-top for a total of 38, plus lockable rod and gear storage inside the console, forward of the head compartment’s electric toilet, sink and shower area. Rod and cup holders, outrigger bases and pop-up cleats are Gemlux stainless steel, as are through-hull fittings above the waterline. Those below the waterline are titanium. The 470-gallon fuel capacity is split between three tanks, a design that enables any of the tanks to supply any engine with the twist of a lever.

The bow anchor compartment includes a rack for a full-size Danforth anchor and rode. A freshwater washdown inside the locker is optional.

The T-top boasts a wraparound Costa Clear panel instead of a plexiglass windscreen. Graphite composite outriggers mounted on Gemlux bases boast integral roller guides for the double spreader lines and teasers deployed from recessed teaser reels.

The helm holds a center pod for the steering wheel, and digital gauges and controls are within easy reach. The demo boat carried an Icom M506 VHF, a Garmin suite of electronics comprising two GPSMap 8617 17-inch MFDs, a Reactor 40 autopilot, GSD25 sonar and GMR1224HD2 open-array radar.

The Valhallas are available with a choice of outboards. Our test boat carried triple Yamaha F300s, which pushed the boat to 20 mph from a dead stop in 5 seconds, with minimal bow rise. On plane, response to throttle adjustments was nearly instantaneous. We -quickly topped 60 mph, then settled into a fast cruise, just shy of 50, still getting over 1 mpg. At 3,500 rpm and 36 mph, efficiency increased to 1.3 mpg. Handling proved quick and positive. Executing tight turns at speed, the Valhalla never slipped or shuttered. Exiting the inlet with big waves and the wind quartering against the tide, the hull tracked well and rode smoothly, with no spray rising over the gunwales.

Overall, the Valhalla performed admirably. It is clearly capable of competing on par with famed battlewagons. And wherever you target offshore game, the V-37 will get you to the fishing grounds in a hurry.

Specs

Length: 36′9″ Beam: 10′ Draft: 26″ Deadrise: 24 degrees Fuel: 470 gal. Weight: 12,789 lb. Max HP: 1,200 Price: $421,000 w/ triple Yamaha F300s. Valhalla Boatworks: valhallaboatworks.com

Test Conditions

Location: Atlantic City, New Jersey Wind: East 10 knots Sea State: Bay calm; ocean and seas 2 to 4 feet Test Load: Three adults, 290 gallons of fuel

The post Fishability Test: Valhalla V-37 appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.