Viking 37 BillfishW
hen it comes to 40ft
sport fishers and
gameboats, the
things that spring to
mind are style and
luxury, outstanding performance, big
gamefish, over-the-top fishing bling,
and endless dollars.
Many of those things are true but
a recent test aboard Game & Leisure
Boats’ latest Viking 37 Billfish from
the USA completely changed my
preconceptions. It’s stylish but with a
practical and undemanding layout; it
delivers sportsboat performance from
low-maintenance shaft drives, and
off-the-continental shelf fishability
at a respectably economical price
compared with many popular
gameboats out there.
Founded in 1964 and still family
owned and operated, Viking Yachts is a
very well-known brand in the marine
industry, producing some of the finest
luxury sport-fishers, not to mention
high-end celebrity-style motoryachts
up to 92 feet.
A glance reveals that the Viking 37
Billfish has drawn its design DNA from
the larger boats in the family – in other
words, it’s as stylish and sexy as they
come. She has looks worthy of big shelf
runs to catch big gamefish, sporting a
genuine big and beefy gameboat flared
bow, a flybridge, spacious cockpit,
a modern and practical saloon and
below-deck creature comforts. There’s
a lot of boat packed into this 37-footer,
that’s for sure.
There’s always a compromise
to be struck when it comes to
creating a balance between creature
comforts aboard and a boat’s big
game fishability, there’s simply no
way around that. But for my money,
Viking has done a sterling job here to
satisfy the demands of day cruising,
overnighting and true gameboat fishing
on the 37 Billfish.
On offer below decks is a spacious
air-conditioned layout that features a
head, shower and vanity, Amtico vinyl
flooring for ease of maintenance, as
well as stylish gloss teak joinery lending
a more luxurious look and feel.
Accommodation includes a private
stateroom with ample storage and
twin bunks, though the bunks are
an option and you can have a queen
bed instead. I would probably prefer
that arrangement; kids or mates can
comfortably sleep in the saloon.
Whether for extended stays or simple
overnight use, there’s a spacious and
well-equipped galley offset to the
starboard side below decks. This gets
Corian countertops, a complete set of
cooking appliances, refrigeration, and
even dinnerware included – move in
and you simply have to cook up the
catch of the day.
When the fishing and cooking are
done, you can relax in the simple, clean
and easy-to-maintain saloon. Instead
of loading it up with an abundance of
plush linings and teak surfaces, Viking
has gone with clean gelcoat finishes
throughout and in the process done
a good job of creating a spacious and
practical saloon with dinette and full
seating for six in comfort.
Being fully enclosed, the saloonMAIN If the flybridge and spreaders don’t give you the hint, that bow and the dry ride really
spell out the offshore ability of this hull
FAR LEFT & LEFT Clean and simple layout gives you all the space you need, whether it’s for
kids and family of mates competing to land the biggest fish. Similarly, the walk-through
transom and refrigerated fish box can do double-duty for the fishos or family days outtradeboats.com.au 25