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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Building a Legacy with Viking Yachts
- By Lenny Rudow
- Updated: July 2, 2021
When brothers Bob and Bill Healey bought Peterson-Viking Builders in April 1964, there was no way they could have foreseen a future including two New Jersey manufacturing facilities totaling over 910,000 square feet; about 1,500 employees; close to 5,000 hulls delivered; ownership of companies that handle aluminum tower fabrication, marine electronics and marine service; and dominance of the production sport-fishing yacht market. Yet, that’s where five-plus decades of boatbuilding has brought them.
Today, Viking Yachts produces 90 percent of every boat in-house, leaving only components such as engines to other companies. The builder offers six different lines of boats ranging from 38 to 93 feet length overall. And the brand is constantly upgrading, re-engineering and refining its designs and construction methods. Even the most successful models have been regularly retired through the years, to make way for new and improved versions.
“Take our 55 for example,” says president and CEO Pat Healey. “That boat was a total icon. It had new styling, a new bottom, a new layout and used new materials. And it started an entire family of yachts leading to the 61, the 65, the 74—all were insane successes.”
Whether it’s utilizing resin-infusion construction, tweaking engine-room vents, or developing a unique electrohydraulic rudder-steering system, the company has maintained a forward-looking attitude, harnessing the latest tech to build better yachts.
“We can do almost everything by computer today. We even tank-test boats virtually now,” Healey says, “and we can do it over a dozen times in a couple of days. We can move strakes, change the center of gravity and tweak just about anything. As a result, our latest models don’t just meet our projections—they beat them.”
Also recently, Viking entered the center-console market with the Valhalla Boatworks brand. Valhallas range from 33 to 46 feet length overall and are powered by twin to quadruple outboards. Running on a Michael Peters stepped-V ventilated-tunnel, twin-step hull design, these boats can hit hat-stripping speeds of 60-plus knots. While on board the V-41, I found that it comfortably cruised in the mid-40-knot range through 2- to 3-foot seas.
Why did a builder so successful with yachts decide to enter the center-console market?
“The project was actually in the works on and off for nearly two decades,” says Viking’s director of communications, Chris Landry. “It didn’t get off the ground until now due to the market, business strategies or other reasons, but it’s something we always wanted to do.”
Innovation is in Viking’s DNA. The fact that the company builds everything it can in-house is part of the innovative philosophy, and Healey says the technique is vital to success.
“We found 30 years ago that building our own parts in our own facility gave us timeliness, quality, and the ability to trace what works best and what can go wrong,” he says. “And it’s part of why we’ve turned into what’s really a marine group, with our subsidiaries Palm Beach Towers and Atlantic Marine Electronics. The vendors were good, but we wanted better. We wanted the best of the best. So, we took control and did it ourselves.”
In-house construction means quality control, whether it’s finely finished cabinetry, ramrod-straight and labeled wiring harnesses, or baffled fuel tanks. That quality also lets Viking service all aspects of the yacht post-purchase. When something does go wrong—we are talking about boats, after all—Viking knows how to remedy the situation. Being able to do so quickly and with minimal effort is one reason Viking purchased a South Florida service center in Riviera Beach and staffed it with Viking-trained personnel.
“It’s part of the commitment we have to our owners,” Healey says. “We pick up the phone. We take care of our customers. You can talk to a Healey. That’s the kind of boatbuilding team my father wanted us to be.”
Viking’s latest projects include a $1.4 million dredging and dock replacement at its New Gretna shipyard in New Jersey. At Viking’s Mullica facility, also in New Jersey, the builder is developing an additional 12,000 square feet of space where the four Valhalla production lines are located. Despite the line’s fledgling nature, Viking expects to build 90 Valhalla hulls in the next fiscal year.
Research and development into new tech also continues on the inboard side. To say that Healey gets animated when asked about the future of Vikings would be an understatement.
“I 100 percent believe that diesel-hybrid technology is close and will be a game-changer for marine,” he says in a rapid-fire staccato. “I can envision running to the fishing grounds on your mains, then shutting them down and ramping up a variable-speed diesel-electric generator. You could then troll all day on electric before running back home on the mains. That could cut engine hours by 70 percent, which alone is huge. But there’s also the potential to use the electric with the mains to get extra horsepower. We’ve been working on this for five years, and it’ll be a few years more, but it’s coming.”
Note Healey’s use of the word “we” when he talks about developing these systems. Viking isn’t waiting for other companies to announce new diesel-electric tech. Viking is hands-on in the development.
Because after nearly 60 years, that’s exactly what everyone has come to expect of Viking Yachts.
Take the next step: vikingyachts.com
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COMMENTS
The Viking Yacht Company has been building a better boat every day for 60 years. Incredible! Founded by brothers Bill and Bob Healey on April 1, 1964, Viking climbed the marine industry mountain and has been at its peak for decades now, unwilling to relinquish the throne as the industry's best boatbuilder.
Viking Yacht Company formed when brothers Bill and Bob Healey purchased Peterson-Viking Builders, a well-regarded NJ manufacturer of wooden sportfishing and cruising boats.
Viking Yacht Company, New Gretna. 74,847 likes · 3,391 talking about this · 335 were here. Leading the industry yesterday, today and tomorrow.
The Viking Yacht Company has celebrated over five 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 ...
On April 1, 2024, the Viking Yacht Company will celebrate its 60th year in boatbuilding. From humble beginnings on the banks of the Bass River in New Gretna, New Jersey, Viking has become the largest manufacturer of luxury fiberglass sport-fishing yachts in the world, with more than 5,500 boats delivered.
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 ...
Updated: July 2, 2021. Since 1964, Viking Yachts has grown into a company with 1,500 employees and 5,000 hulls built. Courtesy Viking Yachts. When brothers Bob and Bill Healey bought Peterson-Viking Builders in April 1964, there was no way they could have foreseen a future including two New Jersey manufacturing facilities totaling over 910,000 ...
The Viking Yacht Company has celebrated six decades in business building luxury performance sportfishing and cruising yachts. Started by brothers Bob and Bill Healey in 1964 when they bought ...
Find Viking Yachts for sale in New Jersey. Offering the best selection of Viking Yachts to choose from.
Welcome to the Viking Yachting Center. Situated on the tranquil shores of the Bass River, just north of Atlantic City, the Viking Yachting Center is a weather-protected haven for boats up to 50 feet. Purchased and renovated by the Viking Yacht Company in January of 2003, the 32-acre facility boasts many modern amenities including 250 deep-water ...
A continuing legend in the commitment of excellence. Building a better boat every day tells the story of each Viking yacht as it cruises along its evolutionary trail. When the first Viking 48 Convertible was launched in 1985 it was a powerful introduction that quickly went to the head of the fleet. Early models launched with J & T turbo-charged ...
Based in New Gretna, NJ, Viking builds the world's best luxury performance sportfishing and cruising yachts. Celebrating over five decades in the business, Viking Yachts is a family owned company. They have evolved to be a global leader in semi-custom fiberglass yacht production. 1976. JBYS Became a Viking Dealer.
Valhalla Boatworks, Egg Harbor City, New Jersey. 11,537 likes · 1,258 talking about this · 193 were here. The Viking Yacht Company proudly introduces...
Founded in 1964 by brothers Bill and Bob Healey, the Viking Yacht Company is the No. 1 production boat builder in the world of semi-custom sport fishing and motor yachts.
Viking Yacht Company Route 9 "On the Bass River" PO Box 308 New Gretna, NJ 08224 Click here for GPS direction Phone: 609-296-6000 Fax: 609-296-3956 Sales E-mail: [email protected] Customer Service E-mail: [email protected]
Created, owned and operated by the Viking Yacht Company, the legendary builder of the world's finest sportfishing yachts, Valhalla Boatworks offers seven center consoles from 28 to 55 feet in its game-changing V Series.
The Viking Yacht Company prides itself as the premier manufacturer of quality sportfishing yachts ranging from 38-90 feet. Viking has celebrated over five decades in business, building luxury fishing yachts in New Gretna and Mullica, NJ.
Viking Yachts is the undisputed leader in the world of sportfish yachts, offering yachts for sale ranging from 38 feet to 90 feet. With a legacy dating back to 1964, Viking has upheld a steadfast commitment to crafting superior boats day in and day out. As the top Viking Yachts dealer, Galati Yacht Sales takes pride in providing exceptional sales and service. Our team undergoes extensive ...
Viking Yacht Service Center in New Jersey Full service, Viking staffed and trained service yard in New Gretna, New Jersey 5724 N. Route 9 New Gretna, NJ 08224 Phone: (609) 296-2388 [email protected]
Reviews from Viking Yacht Company employees about Viking Yacht Company culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more.
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