Viking Yachts for Sale

The Healey brothers

In 1961 Bill Healey, an ironworker in his father's steel business, and his brother Bob, a lawyer, built a marina on the Bass River. They sold boats for a small local builder, Carl Peterson, whose brand was Peterson-Viking. When Peterson got into money trouble, a bank asked the Healeys to buy the business. They did, and opened the Viking Yacht Company on April 1, 1964, building 37-foot wooden boats with teak cockpits.

The first fiberglass Viking, a 33-footer, came in 1971. The 40 Sedan Convertible followed in 1972 and stayed in production 16 years; Marlin puts sales of the 40 and the later 41 at more than 600. Bill's son Pat Healey now runs the company, which has delivered more than 5,500 boats.

Models through the years

A 35 Convertible and 43 Double Cabin were in the range by 1979, and a 46 Convertible came in 1981. The 45, 47 and 48 followed. Viking bought Gulfstar in 1987, which added motoryachts from 50 to 63 feet, and by 1995 it was building a 72-foot convertible. In the 2000s came the 60, 65, 74 and 82.

Today Viking builds more than a dozen models from 38 to 90 feet, up to the 92 Enclosed Bridge, which it calls the world's largest resin-infused production sportfishing yacht. Smaller Valhalla center consoles are built by a sister company.

What to check on a used Viking

Helm chair recall. In 2016 Viking recalled 268 boats built from 2005 to 2013 with Murray helm chairs, because a bushing could shear and let the chair come off its pedestal. The campaign closed in January 2023. On a boat of that era, ask for proof the chairs were inspected and repaired.

Engines. On a big Viking, the diesels are the biggest single cost. Get a separate engine survey with oil analysis and a full-load sea trial on each engine, and check the hours on the engine computers against the logs.

Tournament history. Many Vikings have fished hard. Ask how it was used and look at the cockpit, fighting chair base, tower welds and outriggers for stress.

Service records. Viking runs its own service center in Palm Beach County, and the company and its dealers keep records. Ask for them, along with the original build sheet.

Older boats. On older wooden or early fiberglass Vikings, a full hull survey with moisture readings in the decks and around fittings matters more than the age of the engines.