58 FY Viking Sport Cruiser

Source: Ian Burry, Sea Magazine

The Complete Package with Classic Lines

The Viking Sport Cruiser product is the result of a 14-year association between Viking Yachts and Princess Yachts International, plc, from Plymouth, England. Many European boats introduced to the U.S. are generally adaptations, designed to sell to the American market. The Viking Sport Cruiser is built by Europeans and incorporates authentic style and design.

I boarded the vessel by the huge teak swim platform, which is also great for transporting your tender safely. Once you step aboard the Viking Sport Cruiser 58FY you will instantly feel at home. The cockpit area is very spacious and large enough for a table to entertain guests comfortably. I envisioned myself enjoying meals alfresco or having cocktails at sunset. The overhead acts as great protection in inclement weather or as shade from the summer heat. In addition, you can have a full cockpit enclosure, for storage or just keeping dry.

We entered the salon by the triple glass door system, which opens two-thirds its width to allow fresh air to flow throughout the cabin. Once we closed the salon door I was immediately impressed by the powerful 63,000 BTU air-conditioning system with reverse heat cycle throughout the vessel.

My immediate impression of the salon was that it had to be designed by a minimalist; where is everything hidden? The salon area is huge with a clean U-shaped seating area to starboard and another settee area opposite the port side, both with ample storage drawers underneath. Hidden cleverly behind the port-side seating is the 32-inch LCD TV and CD/DVD player.

Flowing nicely forward, a shallow step into the dinette will comfortably seat several guests. The area can also be used to sit and chat with the captain or to see everything outside. There’s no question that visibility is excellent from here. To starboard just opposite is the bar area, where you will find a “cocktail workstation.” There’s an icemaker, a refrigerator and even a bottle and glass storage area; everything is stowed neatly behind a stunning cherry wood cabinet.

In front of the bar area you’ll find the lower helm station, which blends into its surroundings so naturally it’s almost easy to overlook. That is until the engines fire up and the gauges and electronics are all illuminated with information.

I felt like I was driving an Aston Martin as opposed to a yacht; a wooden steering wheel, leather bucket seats, automatic engine shift, low-profile burr elm instrumentation panel with matching gauges; amazing. Nothing appears out of place, and the technology works in perfect harmony.

The overhead from the windscreen to the salon door flows to complement the entire area. The height is perfect so you will never finish your voyage with a stiff neck or have to contort to check traffic approaching from the rear. The breaker panel is just where you’d expect to find it, on the stairway down to the galley. The only difference is this panel is much smaller. On closer inspection you will see that only the necessary breakers and gauges are placed here, making the panel very sleek and unobtrusive. The less-important breakers are housed very cleverly under the chart table.

Moving into the galley there is plenty of natural light. This is really a fam-ily-style galley and a joy to use. There’s a wide-standing area off the main thoroughfare, so the chef isn’t interrupted while executing his/her culinary genius. This area also incorporates a full-size refrigerator freezer, a fourburner electric range, a microwave/ convection oven, a stainless steel sink with a disposal grinder and a washer/dryer.

Just forward, the VIP cabin could almost be mistaken for the master with its roomy feel, large double berth and thoughtful storage drawers. The ensuite bathroom shared by the twin guest stateroom is also sizable and comfortable for a large-framed person like me.

Abeam of the galley is the twin cabin, which is very spacious and has ample natural light. The bunks are also wide enough to actually sleep in without fear of falling off.

Moving back through the galley aft you will find an impressive master stateroom. It’s a full beam-to-beam cabin with three large portholes that bathe the space in natural light. On the port side is a vanity table/desktop combination, which takes advantage of the natural light and views. The large double berth is placed dead center of the boat, both centerline and bow to stern, where there is the least amount of movement. Perfect for a peaceful night’s sleep.

Walking back to the cockpit it starts to sink in how much attention to detail has been paid to the materials and engineering. Every component is positioned perfectly or designed to flow effortlessly.

On the teak deck in the cockpit area, there are two huge hatches; one leads to the engine room and one to what I expected would be the crew cabin (although I was later surprised).

The engine room is set up for easy access and service checks, but there is no wasted space. The fuel tanks are located on the outboard side of each of the optional Caterpillar C15 865 hp engines and insulated to keep the fuel cool under way.

The second hatch that I originally thought was the crew quarters is where Viking elected not to push this option (available on request). Instead, the designers utilized this area to install the chillers for the air conditioning; this unique design concept creates less stowage space under each berth allowing for lower installation, which ultimately gives the boat more headroom throughout. From a servicing standpoint the units are easier (and more likely) to get checked regularly, because they can be accessed with ease. Additionally, there is less water condensation inside the boat, because the chillers are outside the boat.

Finally, we visited the flybridge. The helm station is identical to the lower helm station and is located dead center of the flybridge, allowing for great visibility aft to your port aft quarter for dockage and bow areas, not to mention the helmsman is included in the socializing.

There is plenty of lounging and seating opportunities in this area including a U-shaped seating area with a table with plenty of cupholders and a double lounger aft, protected from the wind under way for sunbathing, with under storage for cushions and towels. As with all other areas of this boat you do not have to walk very far to find food or drink because there’s a refrigerator, wet bar, sink and grill in the center area.

A Bimini top can be installed and a full-size hardtop option is also a consideration.

Overall this is a great candidate if you are looking for a boat with everything that exceeds expectations. Unlike some other companies, Viking Sport Cruisers truly makes you feel like you are a part of their family. They often encourage owners to join them at their annual rendezvous; teaching them about maintenance and improve their boating skills as a boater. All you have to do is sign on the dotted line.