viking yachts new jersey

Viking Yachts Factory Tour

• By Sam White
• Updated: September 20, 2018

By any stretch, the Viking Yachts facility in New Gretna, New Jersey, is immense, where 1,300 talented craftsmen strive to fulfill the company’s mantra of building a better boat every day. More than 90 percent of each boat is produced in-house, and the factory delivers about 80 boats each year. Celebrating their 55th year in 2019, the company was started by brothers Bill and Bob Healey in 1964 when they bought Peterson-Viking Builders, a small New Jersey company with a line of 37-foot wooden sport-fishers. Today, more than 4,000 Viking yachts have been delivered, making them an undeniable powerhouse in the marine industry.

We review the hot new Viking 68 Convertible .

• More: Boat Building , Boats , Sport Fishing Boats , Viking Yachts

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Founded in 1964

Viking Yachts

The Viking Yacht Company has celebrated four and a half decades in business building luxury performance sportfishing and cruising yachts. Started by brothers Bob and Bill Healey in 1964 when they bought Peterson-Viking Builders, a small, struggling New Jersey builder of 37-foot, wooden sportfishing boats, Viking Yachts has grown to become a world leader in semi-custom fiberglass yacht production with over 4,000 Vikings delivered.

At a time when the brothers could take a well-earned rest, Bob and Bill are busier than ever. When not promoting the Recreational Fishing Alliance or industry issues in Washington, D.C., Bob can often be found at Viking. Bill is at the plant daily overseeing new expansion plans and to ensure Viking is “building a better boat everyday.” And of course, Bill still makes it a point to say goodnight to his employees each evening, a habit he started way back on April 1, 1964.

Yachts built by Viking Yachts

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Viking Yachts for Sale

Viking Yachts is one of the most recognised nameplates in American yacht building and for valid reasons. The company was founded in 1964, when Bob and Bill Healey bought Peterson-Viking Builders, located in New Gretna, New Jersey, USA. Viking has celebrated over five decades in business, building luxurious and high performance sportfishing and cruising yachts. Viking Yachts has grown to become a world leader in semi-custom fiberglass yacht production with over 4,000 deliveries to its name since the late 1960’s. These quality convertible yachts, open yachts and motor yachts range from 37-feet(11.2m) to 92-feet(28m).

The Viking Marine Group includes Palm Beach Towers, which makes aluminum tuna towers, fiberglass hardtops, electronic boxes and other components; Atlantic Marine Electronics, which services and installs a variety of navigation and electronics, and the Viking Yacht Service Center in Riviera Beach, Florida.

For over 50 years, the company has built a loyal database of customers for its cruising and sports fishing yachts. Viking’s ethos centers around high standards and quality construction, with values steeped in New Jersey boat-building traditions. Roughly 90 percent of all Viking components are made in-house and Viking also maintains a worldwide service network.

History of Viking Yachts

Viking Yachts was started by brothers Bob and Bill Healey in 1964 when they bought Peterson-Viking Builders, a very small builder of 37-foot (11.2m) wooden sport-fishing boats based in New Gretna, New Jersey, USA.

Viking moved into the large motor yacht market with the purchase of Gulfstar Yachts, an innovative West Florida-based builder whose designs at the time were considered among the most modern in the industry. The company furthered its reputation for engineering excellence and sophisticated design and, by 1990, Viking was offering a full line of convertibles and motor yachts.

In 1995, Princess Yachts formed an alliance with Viking Yachts to market Princess Yachts in the USA. Today, Princess Yachts America (formerly Viking Sport Cruisers) remains a major distributor of Princess Yachts.

In 2018, Viking stated that they had spent $48.5 million on R&D, design, engineering and tooling of all of their new models since 2014. A significant investment that has helped to keep Viking Yachts on the international stage.

Among the many honours the company has received is the CIGNA Recreational Marine Award for Excellence. Company President Bill Healey has also been admitted to the U.S. National Marine Manufacturers Association Hall of Fame.

A very popular American shipyard, Viking can truly be considered as a powerhouse of the yachting world – no one builds more enclosed sportfish yachts than they do.

The Viking Collection

Viking’s list of models includes open and closed bridge convertibles, sport yachts and motor yachts up to 90-feet (28m) in length. In 1972, the Viking 40-foot Convertible made its debut. It was a marketing success with over 600 40/41′ models sold over the next 16 years. Every Viking built since has shared this basic hull design, with evolutionary refinements being made to accommodate steadily increasing available horsepower and speed. In 1977, Viking built its first all-fiberglass model, the Viking 33′ Convertible.

In 1995, the Viking 60ft Cockpit Sportsyacht was awarded “Boat of the Year” by Boating magazine. This model was similar to the earlier model Viking 54 Sports Yacht (1994 – 2001) but had an extended cockpit. The larger cockpit allowed for greater versatility and provided around 70 square feet of space. The 60-footer was big enough to also provide a good swimming and diving platform, making the boarding process a whole lot easier. The yacht was built on an easily driven modified-V hull with a solid fiberglass bottom and a shallow keel. The model has a three-cabin teak interior and a spacious salon. The aft cabin is huge with excellent storage and nearby access to the standup engine room. The aft-deck, at almost 200 square feet, can be fully enclosed as can the flybridge. This was the last model Viking produced until 2018.

Another notable model was the Viking 93 sport yacht, where Viking applied the performance and quality of the sport fisher to a cruising motor yacht. Michael Peters Yacht Design worked with Viking for the styling, space planning and hull design. This was the biggest yacht built by Viking and, in 2014, the cruising yacht market had strong growth in the US, which Viking were able to capitalise on. This 93-foot (28.5m) high-performance sportfisher has a cruising speed between 21 and 24 knots. Inside, on the main deck aft, there is bountiful U-shaped seating that wraps around the transom and the accompanying twin tables unfold to create one large banquet table. The interior design is warm and comfortable, with walnut wood, thick carpeting, and soft, tactile fabrics. In the country-kitchen style galley, there is a dinette and an island bar. The design ethos is ‘bigger is better’ when it comes to onboard amenities such as saloons, decks, televisions and refrigerators. The master suite, with its own private entrance, is full beam and has a king-sized bed facing a 65-inch television, it’s ensuite and has a walk-in wardrobe. Both the main and bridge decks feature opening glass doors leading to the aft decks, which make for big indoor-outdoor spaces on both levels. One of the other highlights is the balcony – hydraulic sliding glass doors open on the starboard side of the main saloon next to the dining area, and the bulwark unfolds hydraulically and the foredeck hosts another al fresco lounge.

In 2018, the second generation of the Viking 58 was also announced. Viking’s “Gen II” 58 C was designed to be the best high-performing family cruising yacht in its class. Viking incorporates innovative design and performance features that include powder-coated engine beds to reduce vibration, a special ventilation system to lower engine room moisture, and noise and underwater exhaust systems.

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Viking 90 Convertible

Get More Info

• LOA: 90′ 0
• Beam: 23′ 2
• Draft: 5′ 11
• Displacement: 203,659 lbs.

Tank Capacities

• Fuel: 3,801 gal.
• Water: 480 gal.

Power Options

• Twin CAT C32A, 1925hp
• Twin MTU Series 2000 M96L, 2635hp
• Twin CAT C32B 2400CRM, 2433hp

Driven by its mantra to build a better boat every day, here comes Viking again with another example of excellence in boatbuilding design, engineering and innovation. The legendary New Jersey boatbuilder is proud to announce the all-new Viking 90 Convertible, a yacht that will redefine the capabilities of the luxury convertible sportfisher and become the new benchmark in the genre.

“We’ve taken all the incredible qualities of the 92 – the interior layout, the accommodations, the style, the amenities – and merged them with greater performance, technology and versatility,” says Viking President and CEO Pat Healey. “The 92 was the Bentley. This is the Ferrari.”

Three Models The 90’s profile represents a synthesis of design traits from the 92, 80 and other modern Viking sportfishing yachts, as well as subtle motor yacht influences. “We designed the 90 to be as sleek as possible, stressing a low profile and clean lines,” says Viking Design Manager David Wilson. “We also brought several refinements to the exterior that enhance that lean, sexy look.” Carefully placed feature lines, deckhouse windows and portlights with chamfered edges and Viking’s signature hull-side vents are just of few of the 90’s aesthetic high points.

Viking will offer three models of the 90 (Open Bridge, Enclosed Bridge and Sky Bridge), all utilizing a spacious six-stateroom accommodation plan highlighted by a full-beam master suite. “We feel the open bridge 90 is going to be a huge hit, particularly with our 80 owners,” says Pat. “We’re providing a larger Viking that fishes just as well as their 80 and has the same type of performance and nimble maneuverability.”

The Open and Enclosed Bridge 90 can be outfitted with a tuna tower from Palm Beach Towers (PBT), and all three models can be equipped with a custom electronics, communications and entertainment package from Atlantic Marine Electronics (AME). Both Viking subsidiaries, AME and PBT ensure turnkey delivery.

Looking Aft The cockpit and dual mezzanine stress a sense of togetherness with a focus aft – where the action is. From the salon, a 40-inch-wide electric-powered single door opens with a touch of a button. The upper mezzanine’s port side is home to an L-shaped aft-facing lounge with available air-conditioned backrest and a teak table. On the starboard side, there’s a versatile cooking and refreshment hub (with an additional aft-facing seat) that can be personalized to the owner’s liking with a grill and icemaker or refrigerator.

A large lounge on the lower mezzanine looks upon the cockpit, with its shapely fiberglass module holding storage underneath and tackle drawers on each side. The mezzanine provides centerline engine access to the crew quarters and engineroom, and is also home to an oversized freezer (port) and two refrigerated boxes (starboard).

The cockpit measures 224 square feet, with a 203-gallon transom fishbox/live well and a pair of full-length 103-gallon insulated in-deck fishboxes. Access to the Seakeeper 35 is provided by a single powered hatch on centerline, a watertight design introduced with recent Viking 80 demonstrator boats, and the cockpit sole is built with reinforcement for a fighting chair, rocket launcher or table.

Living Large Viking owners and enthusiasts will be enamored with the accommodations of the new Viking 90. The combination of interior volume, a flowing open layout and several design nuances create a fresh soothing ambiance throughout the vast living spaces. Stepping into the salon, a new horizontal grain natural walnut interior greets you with warmth and style. Interior doors featuring both horizontal and vertical grains as well as ebony inlays add to the visual appeal. Guests will appreciate the spacious lounge that begins at the salon door and wraps around the port side. A starboard-side entertainment center features a 65-inch pop-up HD TV. Forward, the large starboard wraparound galley is open to a raised U-shaped dinette to port (with rod storage below).

The Viking 90 offers five guest staterooms, each with its own private head and shower, crew quarters with immediate access to the engine room, a pantry with an additional crew berth and a day head. Spanning the 23-foot, 2-inch beam, the owner’s suite boasts a king walkaround bed, a walk-in closet, a dressing table, a lounge area, a full-size credenza under a bulkhead-mounted 65-inch HD TV and his-and-hers private facilities with separate access.

Miami 2023 Debut “Constantly looking to the future, we embarked more than a year ago on this design,” explains Pat. “It came at a time when international regulations would be taking effect that required Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) in the engine rooms of yachts with a ‘load line length’ greater than 24 meters.

“Understanding that suitable engine and SCR technology for this market was unavailable, the U.S. Coast Guard announced in March a three-year suspension of the regulations in North America. But the development of the 90, which does not require SCR, was already well underway and in 15 months we’ll proudly present the next flagship of the Viking sportfishing fleet.”

The Viking 90 will make her world premiere at the 2023 Miami Yacht Show.

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Viking Group

Building a better boat every day has been viking's philosophy for over five decades..

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Exiled Chinese tycoon Guo Wengui convicted in billion-dollar fraud scheme

Prosecutors said guo wengui and his business partner solicited more than $1 billion of investments in various entities and ventures through false statements and representations..

Guo Wengui, an exiled Chinese billionaire known for his criticism of the Chinese Communist Party and close ties with American conservatives, was convicted by a U.S. jury on Tuesday of defrauding his online followers of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Guo, who went by multiple aliases such as "Miles Kwok" and "Ho Wan Kwok," garnered a substantial online following through his  YouTube videos  in which he criticized the Chinese communist government. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan accused Guo of raising more than $1 billion by guaranteeing his thousands of followers that they would not lose money if they invested in his various business and cryptocurrency schemes.

Prosecutors said Guo used the money to fund his lavish lifestyle, such as purchasing a New Jersey mansion, a red Lamborghini and a yacht. Following a seven-week trial, Guo was convicted Tuesday of nine of 12 criminal counts he faced, including racketeering conspiracy and wire fraud.

He faces decades in prison, according to U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres set his sentencing for Nov. 19.

"Miles Guo, an exiled Chinese businessman and purported billionaire, brazenly operated several interrelated fraud schemes, all designed to fleece his loyal followers out of their hard-earned money so that Guo could spend his days in his 50,000 square foot mansion, driving his $1 million Lamborghini, or lounging on his $37 million yacht," Williams said in a statement.

"Thousands of Guo’s online followers were victimized so that Guo could live of a life of excess," Williams added. "Today, Guo’s schemes have been put to an end."

'I am proud of going to prison today': Trump aide Steve Bannon reports to federal prison for defying House Jan. 6 subpoena

$1 billion dollar fraud conspiracy lasted several years

Guo was arrested in March 2023 in New York after federal authorities accused him of operating a "sprawling and complex scheme" between 2018 and 2023, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. He was initially charged with 12 criminal counts, including wire fraud, securities fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering.

Prosecutors said Guo, along with his business partner Kin Ming Je, solicited more than $1 billion of investments in various entities and ventures through false statements and representations. The scheme involved lying to victims about their investments and promising them "outsized returns" if they provided money to Guo's multiple entities, including GTV Media, the Himalaya Farm Alliance, G|CLUBS, and the Himalaya Exchange, according to prosecutors.

During the trial, prosecutor Juliana Murray said Guo used the illicit funds as his "personal piggy bank" to maintain his lavish lifestyle in the United States. During his closing argument last week, prosecutor Ryan Finkel played videos of Guo pitching investments, including several in which Guo stood on a yacht deck.

Guo and Je laundered the money to multiple bank accounts and made expensive purchases such as a 50,000 square foot New Jersey mansion, a custom Bugatti sports car for $4.4 million, a Ferrari worth $3.5 million, a $37 million luxury yacht and a $62,000 television, according to prosecutors. Guo also purchased furniture and decorative items, including Chinese and Persian rugs worth about $978,000.

Je, a dual citizen of Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, is still at large, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Je was charged 11 of the same charges as Guo but faces an additional 20 years maximum in prison for obstruction of justice.

Federal authorities also arrested and charged a co-conspirator of Guo and Je in March 2023. Yanping Wang, also known as "Yvette Wang," was charged with wire fraud, securities fraud, and money laundering, according to a complaint.

Who is Guo Wengui?

The business tycoon was once believed to be among the richest people in China, The Associated Press reported. Guo left China in late 2014 and came to the U.S. seeking asylum, accusing Chinese officials of corruption.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said Guo has resided in the United States since around 2015 and gained a large online following that "aligned with his purported policy objectives in China and who were also inclined to believe (Guo's) statements regarding investment and money-making opportunities." CNN reported that Guo had amassed his followers through livestreaming events.

In 2017, Guo's lawyer told The New York Times that the billionaire was seeking asylum because his criticism of Chinese officials made him "a political opponent of the Chinese regime." Guo's assets were seized by the governments of China and Hong Kong in 2017 during money laundering investigations, according to CNN.

Guo was also an ally of Steve Bannon, a one-time adviser to former President Donald Trump. During the trial, Finkel showed jurors Bannon promoting one of Guo's ventures at a news conference in 2018, Reuters reported.

Bannon was arrested in August 2020 on Guo's yacht in an unrelated fraud case and was later pardoned by Trump. He was then  convicted  in 2022 for defying a subpoena from the House committee that investigated the  Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021 .

Bannon began his four-month prison sentence earlier this month.

Contributing: Amritpal Kaur Sandhu-Longoria, Maureen Groppe, and Bart Jansen, USA TODAY; Reuters