Valhalla V-29 Hybrid Blurs the Line Between Bay Boat and Offshore Rig
A lot of boatbuilders use the term “hybrid” when explaining a new model. The moniker can refer to propulsion options or a versatile layout. In the case of the Valhalla V-29 Hybrid, however, it’s all about fishing.
The V-29 Hybrid was designed for anglers who want a stylish, high-performance center console that is equally at home fishing a shallow bay or coastal estuary as it is trolling for bluewater pelagics on the edge of the continental shelf. While it might sound easy to design a hybrid boat that can do it all, you have to factor in hull shape, draft, on board storage, livewell capacity, electronics, power options and range, not to mention all the different fishing accessories for a wide range of species and techniques.
Over the last few years, prototypical bay boats have seen a major growth spurt, with 30-plus-footers falling into this segment because they don’t draw as much water as a deep-V center console of the same size. What bay boats lack, however, is the freeboard to head offshore. The V-29 Hybrid blurs the lines between bay boat and offshore center console.
The V-29 is also large for a bay boat—29 feet, 6 inches with a beam of 9 feet, 8 inches. This sizable footprint gives Valhalla room to include all of the seating, deck space, fishboxes, gear, equipment and, most important, the fuel capacity (180 gallons) and range you want on a boat that is meant for chasing tarpon in the morning and tuna in the afternoon.
After walking through the V-29 on the boat-show circuit, I was excited to get out on the water and see what it can do. I boarded the boat at the Viking/Valhalla facility in Riviera Beach, Florida, for a sea trial with Sean Healey at the helm. The Valhalla V-29 rides on a Michael Peters Stepped-V Ventilated Tunnel hull, which reduces drag while increasing speed, efficiency and stability. Valhalla models are offered with different power packages and a range of options; our test boat had twin 300-hp Mercury Verados.
As soon as we nudged out of the no-wake zone, Healey punched the throttles, and the boat leapt up on plane with no discernible bow rise. Valhalla’s engineering team devised a paddle system on both sides of the steering wheel to control the trim of the outboards and the height of the jackplate without taking your hands off the wheel. It’s very similar to the shift paddles found in the automotive world.
We hit a wide-open speed of about 50 knots, but Healey felt the boat could do better if given a longer runway than what we had in the ICW. The boat handled incredibly well in all the maneuvers we asked of it. Hard-over turns were executed with ease, and the midrange power made me grab a handhold. We found a comfortable cruise at 37 knots.
On the bow, the V-29 had a Minn Kota Instinct self-deploying trolling motor. In typical Valhalla fashion, the builder created a custom mounting bracket so the trolling motor can deploy without touching the toe rail and potentially damaging the gorgeously painted wood grain.
Our test boat sported a removable sunpad cushion insert in the bow seating. Without the cushion inserted, there’s plenty of room to fight fish up here, though you might want to move aft to boat fish. There’s 3 feet 9 inches of freeboard at the bow, another testament to the boat’s ability to run offshore comfortably.
The V-29 is engineered for an optional Seakeeper 1 in the forward section of the console under the lounge. It’s nice to have this spot designated for the gyro so you don’t have to sacrifice a head or valuable dry storage. Valhalla adheres to the idea that you can never have too much rod storage. There are rod holders on both sides of the lounge seat forward of console, and more on the hardtop and leaning post, as well as two midships lockable boxes that can fit 10 rods (five in each hatch) up to 7 feet. Insulated fishboxes are built into the deck.
You won’t find many right angles on this boat. Like all Valhallas, the V-29 has soft, curved lines to give it a sexy look that any boater would appreciate. I believe that’s why the builder chose a curved windshield. The windshield gives the V-29 a classic sportfish look and clear visibility.
Bench-style helm seating with storage underneath is standard, and owners can upgrade to Release Marine or Llebroc helm chairs with flip-up bolsters and armrests. Valhalla offers a few options for the leaning post. This V-29 had a leaning post with a hatch that folds down to create a work station for rigging up baits, with slots for Plano tackle trays and a shelf. A large drawer below is perfect for pliers, knives, lures and boxes of hooks. Below the tackle center is a cooler that slides aft so smoothly you can easily deploy it with one hand. There’s a cushion atop the cooler, so it does double duty as a mezzanine seat.
The aft section of the cockpit is smartly designed. Valhalla placed 25-gallon live wells on each side of a fold-away center seat. For those who fish lots of live bait, the company offers a tank option for the leaning post. The livewells are insulated and also make nice coolers for drinks because you can open them from the water, which is handy on those days you’re hanging out at a sandbar.
I really love the access to pumps, seacocks and filters you get when you lift the hatch below the center seat. Twin power poles make staking out a one-click-of-a-button affair. When you have all the aft hatches closed, it creates a nice aft casting deck.
Like larger Valhalla models, the V-29’s optional hardtop comes with a five-rod rocket launcher, molded-in electronics pod, radar pod, lighting and speakers. This V-29 sported a pair of telescoping Gemlux outriggers. Valhalla offers an optional second station for those looking to spot cobia near shore and color breaks offshore.
For anglers looking to fish waters that are less than waist deep out to thousands of fathoms with all of the speed and comfort expected of a Valhalla, the V-29 Hybrid is a great option. Is the V-29 a bay boat? Sure. Is it also an offshore boat? No doubt about it.
Valhalla V-29 Hybrid Specifications:
LOA: 29’6”
Beam: 9’8”
Draft: 2’1”
Displ.: 9,800 lb.
Fuel: 180 gal.
Water: 40 gal.
Power: 2/300-hp Mercury
