ON THE
WATERFRONT
Noteworthy products
for the offshore angler
These rods are available from leading tackle stores Australia-wide. To find your nearest
stockist, call (02) 9533 0000. For more information, visitwww.shimanofish.com.auViking’s new
68 Convertible
Viking’s new 68 Convertible is a 21m four-stateroom
bluewater battlewagon offering exceptional
performance, super-tough construction, luxury
accommodations and advanced propulsion and
boat-control technologies. Its aggressively-raked
stem, gently sloping sheer, swept-back black-
masked windshield and flying bridge brow present
a powerful yet elegant profile.
Running on Viking’s proven hull shape with
a 12.1-degree transom deadrise, a beam of
5.84m and a draft of 1.65m, this spectacular
gamefishing yacht delivers a soft ride in rough
seas, producing a 35-knot cruising speed and
a top end approaching 40 knots. With a fuel
capacity of 7800 litres and a 1300 litre freshwater
tank, the new 68 C has the range for serious
fishing and cruising adventures. An optional
Seakeeper gyro stabilizer heightens the level
of comfort during both fishing and cruising
activities.
The salon features a high-gloss walnut finish,
with a large L-shaped sofa and coffee table.
There’s even a head beside the salon for
convenient day use. Forward is a large dinette
next to the galley, which is equipped with state-
of-the-art appliances and plenty of storage. The
layout below puts the companionway to port,
providing the starboard master stateroom with
almost the full beam of the boat. Accommodation
includes an ensuite master stateroom, a VIP
guest stateroom with private head, a third guest
room with private head and ensuite, plus crew
quarters with engine room access.
The Viking’s flybridge has an open bridge
helm station featuring three helm chairs, a full-
suite of electronics and navigational equipment
as well as two flanking lounges and a seat
forward. Downstairs, the cockpit provides 16.35
square metres of fishing space, with comfortable
air-conditioned seating on an observation
mezzanine for guests to take in the view and
watch over the action.Shimano
Tiagra Ultra Rods
Successful gamefishing requires equipment that will
stand up to the challenge of prolonged battles with
exceptionally large and powerful fish. This is why
the new Shimano Tiagra Ultra stand-up series rods
are proving so popular, especially with the increasing
numbers of bluewater anglers using braided line like
Power Pro Hollow-Ace in conjunction with a mono
topshot.
Factory built but with custom rod styling, the Tiagra
Ultra series features braid-friendly Alps RX roller guides
for minimal friction that prolongs the life of your line,
giving you security during those long battles on hot
days that normally shred line rubbing over dry fixed
guides. They also feature Winn foregrips for comfort
and grip, and detachable Pacific Bay Channel Lock
carbon butts in either straight or curved, depending
on the model. Beneath all this technology is a Biofibre
High Pressure Carbon 300 blank, delivering fish-fighting
pressure across a sweet, smooth parabolic action.
Shimano’s Tiagra Ultra series gamefishing rods are
available in models to suit 10-15kg, 15-24kg and
24-37kg line classes with a straight carbon butt. There
are also 15-24kg and 24-37kg line class models that
come with both straight and a curved carbon butts.For more information, visit http://www.gandlb.com.au or
contact Viking’s Australian agent, Game and Leisure
Boats, on (07) 5577 5811 or email: [email protected]88 facebook.com/BlueWatermagazine