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You’ll want her to hoof it, too, when you’ve hooked your grander. This boat’s laid out to catch big fish. The 50’s cockpit amenities include in-deck fishboxes that can be partitioned with StarBoard inserts, used as livewells, or plumbed for an ice maker ($14,250), like on our test boat. Unlike the older 50, this new one also has an optional in-transom livewell. Larger bait-freezer stowage is available, too. Of course, as is de rigueur these days, there’s mezzanine seating, which also has insulated stowage underneath the step and can be set up as additional bait stowage, a freezer, or another refrigerator. There are also traditional angling amenities such as four in-gunwale stainless steel rod holders (I’d add two), a transom door, and hideaway gaff stowage. The cockpit also boasts 140 square feet of fish-fighting space. And there’s room for an optional fighting chair. Add some Rupp outriggers--an $8,405 option--and six rocket launchers ($1,100) on the $30,965 optional hardtop, and you’re good to run to the deep.
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While the 50 is a true battlewagon, Viking has given equal attention to the comfort side of this boat’s equation. The saloon is inviting with an earth-tone Ultraleather L-shape settee, and all the bulkheads and cabinetry sport satin-finish teak (high-gloss is available). Her below-deck layout comes standard with three staterooms and two heads. One word on the port-side guest stateroom: The light switch is on the bulkhead at the head of the berths, which means you step into the dark room to turn it on. I’d prefer it be mounted in the bulkhead immediately to the left upon entering.
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But it is the saloon/dinette/galley that’s the place to kick back after spending a day staring at baits. One of the highlights of this vessel’s interior is the island galley. It’s a triangle-shape affair with two stools. In addition to making a great breakfast nook, the island opens up space for crew to pass through the saloon/galley area. Combine this seating with the dinette across and the aforementioned settee, and there are plenty of places for people relax. All seating areas offer an unobstructed view of the standard 37-inch Sharp LCD TV on the bulkhead forward and to port.
The 50 is more than just newer, she’s advanced in terms of design, power, space utilization, and ride. While there have been many changes, she still provides the one thing Viking has offered consistently for more than 44 years: an agile, speedy, and stable platform for going far and fishing deep. And with a raked and blacked-out saloon window mask blending with a razor-like sheerline, she’ll look good doing it, too. Imagine what the next seven years could bring.
For more information on Viking Yachts, including contact information, click here.
SPOTLIGHT ON: Stowage
When you’re fishing the circuit for several months at a time, having a place to stow all of your must-have gear, especially on a midsize 50-footer, can be challenging. Viking has done a good job, as you can see, of maximizing otherwise dead space. It’s all compartmentalized to keep the load from shifting, and the heavy-duty struts make lifting the berth a breeze. --P.S.
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This article originally appeared in the November 2008
issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.
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