Viking 37 Billfish: Fishing Boat Review

OVERVIEW
- Viking Yachts breathes new life into a modern classic
Viking Yachts in New Jersey, U.S., is a longstanding and respected manufacturer of high-performance fibreglass gamefishing boats and luxury motoryachts to 28m in length.

There are nearly 40 different models in the Viking range. The smallest is an 11.5m long convertible flybridge game-fishing boat called the 37 Billfish. This beautiful looking craft, with styling that is reminiscent of traditional Merritt and Rybovich game boats of the 1960s, is the latest addition to the expansive Viking Yacht range.

Seasoned game fishermen may recognise the classic lines and styling of the 37 Billfish as it is based on a craft of the same name first released back in 2008 by competitor, and fellow New Jersey boat builder, Ocean Yachts.

Viking acquired the moulds for the 37 Billfish when Ocean Yachts hit the skids back in 2015. It has now been re-released as the Viking 37 Billfish, and with a range of styling improvements, construction and fit-out upgrades.

The revamped, re-styled 37 Billfish wowed the public on its debut at the 2017 Miami International Boat Show back in February. Little wonder really as the boat looks even better than the original model — thanks largely to the addition of a new single piece, tinted and full wrap-around windscreen.

The original Ocean 37 Billfish was a fine looking craft, but the new and revamped Viking 37 Billfish is properly stunning.

Fast forward six months to July 2017 and one of these awesome new Viking's lands in Australia, though it is ultimately bound for Rabaul in Papua New Guinea and new owner, renowned lure marker, John Lau.

Game fishermen will recognise the name. John Lau's custom skirted billfish lures are sought after by the world's best game fishermen and collectors. His lures are as highly regarded (and a lot harder to come by) as those from other legends like Joe Yee, Marlin Parker, Bart Miller and Peter Pakula.

So when we were invited out for a sea trial of John Lau's new Viking 37, Stephanie, we accepted with some enthusiasm. Our test was conducted out of the Gold Coast with local dealer Game And Leisure Boats.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Retro styling but with all the mod-cons, features and equipment
Viking's new 37 Billfish might be the entry model in the Viking range, diminutive in size compared with its siblings, but it's big on features and equipment. It comes with most of the gear you will need for day fishing trips and weekend cruising.

On-board you'll find a full featured, L-shaped galley, a two-berth air-conditioned forward stateroom, head compartment with toilet, shower and vanity, along with provision for the latest electronics gear, multiple fridge freezers, an open-plan saloon with dinette and padded bench seating, along with beautifully varnished teak timber trim throughout the interior.

Above decks, the Viking has a large, perfectly shaped rear cockpit with aft facing bench seating over a fridge/freezer to starboard and a bait/rigging station to port. There is ample underfloor storage and a live well built into the transom.

Pricing for the standard Viking 37 Billfish starts at $955,700 (ex factory USA) and includes dual 550hp Cummins QSB 6.7L 550hp inline six-cylinder turbo diesel inboards. Each is fitted with a ZF280-1A gearbox and swings a 25" diameter x 32" pitch, four blade propeller.

The standard boat package also comes with upper and lower helm stations, which is unusual these days. The lower saloon helm station is generally an optional extra... assuming it is even available.

On our test boat, however, owner John Lau had opted to delete the lower station in favour of a longer fore and aft padded bench seat.

John also had a full saloon/cockpit bulkhead put in place so the saloon could be enclosed and air conditioned. The standard boat has an open deck-house layout leaving the saloon wide open to the cockpit.

In some ways, the enclosure of the saloon takes away from the old school, dayboat character of the 37 Billfish, but you can understand why it was done. The boat will spend its life in the steamy tropical climate of PNG where air conditioning is virtually a must.

Fitting a rear bulkhead and lockable cabin doors also improves security for when the boat is left in a marina or on a mooring.

As you might expect, the Viking can be customised with a range of options, including joystick control for easy docking, and a SeeKeeper Gyro stabiliser system to reduce rocking.

Stephanie was not rigged with either of those options, but it did have a pair of deluxe Pompanette helm chairs for the bridge, Amtico flooring for the forward cabin area, Sunbrella external canvas, and a high-end Garmin electronics suite incorporating a GPS chart plotter, fish finder, auto-pilot and radar system.

Additional fishing features included a 10 rod rocket-launcher on the trailing edge of the bridge, cabin cross-over bunks (instead of an island queen bed), upgraded air conditioning, refrigeration to the port side cockpit fish box/kill tank, a Reelax game chair and a pair of Reelax Maxi Outriggers.

The additions lift the package price to $1,187,450, but this is a special boat, high quality and loaded with fishing features and equipment.

By way of comparison, the quad Mercury outboard-powered Boston Whaler 420 Outrage centre cabin we tested a few months ago was priced at over $1.3 million, while a slightly smaller duel Yamaha outboard powered Grady White 375 Freedom will set you back $1.1 million.

On the surface these two craft are radically different to the Viking, but all three are well designed for offshore sport and game fishing.

SALOON AND ENGINE ROOM
- Simple, practical layout with ample seating and easy access to engine room
The relatively simple interior design and layout of the 37 Billfish is reminiscent of classic open-saloon charter game boats of the 1960s and early 1970s, even despite the addition in the test boat of the optional rear bulkhead. The saloon layout is otherwise similar as it has a simple full-length settee bench seat on the starboard side, opposite a dinette seating area.

The dinette area has comfortable, yet hard wearing vinyl padded seating for three to five people and the fibreglass table top drops down to create a temporary berth with the addition of an extra cushion.

Cleverly, the port side dinette and starboard side bench seat are mounted over full-length hatches which lift up hydraulically to reveal the two Cummins turbo diesel engines, along with the 9kw Onan generator, A/C system, pumps, fire control systems, etc. You don't even need to remove the dinette table or seat cushions!

With the platforms or engine hatches raised to an angle of around 45 degrees the engine room is revealed in all its glory. Importantly, there is loads of space in the compartment for servicing and maintenance. All items were clearly labelled and tagged for easy identification, and the cool white engine room floors were clean and dry. Very impressive.

Additional saloon features include a quick-access engine room floor hatch in the rear of the saloon, a storage shelf on the starboard side dash, and a port-side refrigerator under the forward section of the dinette seating area.

FORWARD CABIN AND GALLEY
- Teak trimmed two-berth forward stateroom, galley and surrounds
While the uncluttered saloon area in the test boat had a clean, austere feel to it due to the cool white fibreglass finish and absence of carpet or ceiling lining, the forward cabin and galley area exuded warmth and comfort, thanks to the timber-coloured Amtico flooring and beautifully varnished teak timber doors, trim and shelving used throughout.

The cabin itself is relatively compact in size but it is equipped with hanging cupboards, a two-piece teak cabin door, drawers, ample overhead down-lighting and a ventilation hatch.

The standard boat comes with a queen size island bed, but the test boat was optioned with separate bunk beds, with teak shelving underneath.

Standard boats are also equipped with a flat screen TV and a stereo system

The forward stateroom, galley and head compartment are situated on the same level, four steps down from the saloon.

The starboard side galley is compact in size but well equipped. Features include an electric stove and microwave/convection oven for cooking, stainless steel sink with running freshwater, and a two-drawer Isotherm fridge/freezer to keep your food and drinks cold.

The ship's electrical switch board is situated alongside the galley, above the Corian bench top, tucked away behind a varnished timber door.

Opposite the galley is a spacious head compartment complete with a toilet, full-height fibreglass shower stall, vanity and a mirrored medicine cabinet.

BRIDGE AND COCKPIT
- Clean, uncluttered cockpit, compact bridge, well positioned helm station
If the bewitching good looks of the Viking 37 Billfish are not enough to catch the eye of passing anglers, then the layout of the bridge and cockpit is certain to garner attention - as it is hard to envisage a better layout for game fishing.

Facing aft from the bridge, clutching well spaced, opposing throttles, the skipper has a clear view of the large, uncluttered, self-draining cockpit, making it easy to follow the fishing action below and to manoeuvre the boat accordingly.

The Viking spins easily too, its compact size and relatively shallow deadrise angle (just 12.8 degrees) allowing the boat to reverse at speed and to rotate on a dime... which is not only great for backing up on a game fish, but also makes it easier to dock the boat back at the marina.

In addition to the well-placed, well-designed, albeit compact helm console, the bridge has dual Pompanette branded helm chairs (optional), two full-length side bench seats, another bench in front of the console, provision for a pair of large flush-fitted electronics display on the fascia, an overhead radio/instrument box, fibreglass hardtop, clears, rod rack, a switch panel cupboard, and plenty of under-seat storage space.

The cockpit too has plenty of storage areas with a large lazarette compartment aft, an underfloor fish box (one of which was optionally refrigerated) on each side of the optional Reelax game chair, as well as tackle drawers and a bait/rigging station (with sink) under the starboard-side bench seat.

A fridge/freezer is situated opposite, behind the bridge ladder, and under the port side two-person width bench seat.

Both of the aft facing cockpit seats are perfect for sitting and watching the lures or baits out back while trolling, though of course the skipper still has the best view from the bridge.

Key features of the cockpit itself include the clean, smooth, wide coverboards, the near perfect floor to gunwale freeboard height of between 660 and 680mm, recessed/hidden stern cleats, starboard side transom door, and a huge, built-in, semi-circular live-well with radiused, snag-resistant corners.

Most importantly, the cockpit is big; there is 8.0 square metres of uncluttered (ignoring the game chair) space for anglers and crew to work in comfort and security.

ON THE WATER
- A quick, comfortable and manoeuvrable gamefisher
The 37 Billfish is available only with a pair of Cummins QSB 6.7L 550hp in-line six cylinder turbo diesel inboards. There is no other engine option, though this is not necessarily a negative. The Cummins motors are well matched to the hull and suitably geared and propped with ZF280-1A gearboxes and 25" diameter x 32" pitch, four-blade propellers.

Underway, the Cummins-powered Viking has quite the turn of speed too. Running  offshore in a mild conditions we achieved a top speed of 34.6 knots at a wide open throttle of 3300rpm.

From a stand-still and through the mid-range the boat is also very agile. Perhaps not as quick as a big outboard-powered fishing centre console, but impressively fast for a twin shaftdrive diesel gameboat.

The Viking rides and handles beautifully as well. That wonderfully fine bow entry shape you can see in the photos cleaves cleanly through wind chop and ocean swell, providing a secure, comfortable, sure-footed ride.

The boat is fitted with trim tabs but we hardly touched them during the test as the hull is well balanced on a fore and aft axis, and very stable laterally at rest and underway.

In more inclement weather the tabs would certainly get a work-out, but they are otherwise barely needed. In calm weather you can simply set and forget the throttles at a comfy cruise speed and let the boat do its thing, which is exactly what you want for those long trips out to the wide offshore fishing grounds.

To that point, the Viking cruises very nicely at between 20 and 22 knots. This is probably where the boat is most economical, but we recorded the speed and fuel figures in 500rpm increments and 22 knots falls somewhere between 2000 rpm and 2500rpm. In hindsight, we should have run the data in 250rpm increments.

Within the constraints of our recorded data, the boat/engine combination proved most economical running at 2000rpm for a boat speed of 17.3 knots and combined fuel consumption figure of 74.4 l/ph. These figures equate to a maximum range on 95 per cent (after line losses) of the Viking's 1665lt fuel supply of 367.85nm.

VERDICT
- A finely crafted game fishing boat with traditional styling, modern practicality
The Viking 37 Billfish is a very special boat. We confess to being properly smitten. It is such a pretty looking craft, yet practical and highly functional as well.

The interior is perhaps a little austere, even plain compared to some rival craft, but we like its simplicity and elegance. The boat is uncomplicated, yet finely crafted, beautifully engineered, quick and wonderfully capable at sea. Make no mistake, this is an exceptional game fishing boat. Now to Rabaul.

LIKES
>> Retro good looks with modern fit-out
>> Dual Cummins 35 knot top speed
>> Simple, uncomplicated interior layout
>> Excellent build quality, fit and finish
>> Agile and manoeuvrable at low and high speeds
>> Easy access to engine room for maintenance
>> Large, fisherman-friendly cockpit layout
>> Perfect size for offshore game fishing

NOT SO MUCH
>> Only two permanent berths
>> Nothing else. This boat is epic!

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.86/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.9/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.9/5.0
On the water Performance: 4.8/5.0
Value for money: 4.7/5.0
X-factor: 5.0/5.0

PERFORMANCE - SPEED
5.3kts (9.8km/h) @ 600rpm
7.4kts (13.7km/h) @ 1000rpm
10.0kts (18.5km/h) @ 1500rpm
17.3kts (32.0km/h) @ 2000rpm
25.2kts (46.6km/h) @ 2500rpm
28.4kts (52.5km/h) @ 2750rpm
31.2kts (57.7km/h) @ 3000rpm
34.6kts (64.0km/h) @ 3300rpm (WOT)

PERFORMANCE – ECONOMY (BOTH ENGINES)
2.4 l/ph @ 600rpm
11.6 l/ph @ 1000rpm
38.6 l/ph @ 1500rpm
74.4 l/ph @ 2000rpm
112.8 l/ph @ 2500rpm
132.0 l/ph @ 3000rpm
164.1 l/ph @ 3300rpm
214.3 l/ph @ 3300rpm (WOT)

MAXIMUM RANGE ON 95% OF 1665L FUEL TANK: 367.85Nm @ 2000rpm

Specifications: Viking 37 Billfish
Price: $1,187,450 including duel Cummins QSB 6.7L 550hp inline six cylinder turbo diesel inboards, a Garmin electronics suite (incorporating a GPS chart plotter, fish finder, auto-pilot and radar system) full saloon/cockpit bulkhead, deletion of lower helm station, cabin cross-over bunks, upgraded air conditioning, two Pompanette bridge helm chairs, Amtico flooring for the forward cabin area, Sunbrella external canvas, 10 rod rocket-launcher, refrigeration to the port side cockpit fish box, a Reelax game chair and a pair of Reelax Maxi outriggers.
Priced from: $955,700 (ex factory USA)
Length overall: 11.48m
Beam: 4.22m
Draft: 810mm
Deadrise: 12.8 degrees
Weight (engines, fuel, water): 13,303kg
Maximum power: 1100hp
Engines as tested: Dual Cummins QSB-6.7-550hp
Gearbox: ZF280-1A - 2.227:1 gear ratio
Propellers: 25" diameter x 32" pitch, four blade
Generator: Onan 9kw
Fuel: 1665L (two x 1135L tanks)
Freshwater: 249L
Maximum persons: 10

Supplied by:
Game And Leisure Boats
Phone: (07) 5577 5811
Email: sales@gandlb.com.au
More at Game and Leisure Boats.