Want a fast, maneuverable sport-fishing convertible that's large enough and has enough range to take you far afield? The Viking 76 Convertible accommodates all those requirements while cradling you and your guests in sybaritic comfort.
Performance
Seas outside Lake Worth Inlet on Florida's Atlantic coast proved larger than they seemed from the Viking 76 flybridge. To go slow enough with twin 2,400 hp MTU diesels, the 76 must either be in trolling-valve mode or idle along on one engine.
I advanced the throttles, noting a barely discernable low rumble rather than a loud exhaust noise. It rose gently onto plane with virtually no bow rise; owners can thank the somewhat flatter deadrise, which produces greater lift and also accounts for the boat's rock-solid drifting attributes.
With three trim tabs across the transom, you can run the boat flat into a head sea, but the bow can become extremely proud when running down-sea. And those tabs automatically retract the moment you shift into reverse, helping prevent you from tearing them off when backing hard.
Viking's VIPER steering system controls the rudders independently and sets limits according to speed. We reversed course in less than three boat lengths while running at 32 knots.
A 7-knot trolling speed exhibited such a clean wake that you might as well not be moving. Running at 35 knots into a four-foot, wind-blown sea proved a nonevent. Backing down at 7 knots, I couldn't get water into the cockpit and still maintained complete control.
Interior
It seems that every subsequent Viking I see comes with more curves — every line boasts a beautiful radius flow.
Forward of the well-equipped galley, you'll find a pantry so big that it could easily double as an office or even another stateroom. Opposite to starboard, a slightly smaller pantry outboard holds all of the audio/visual equipment.
Viking instituted a new island design in the galley that allows passage on both sides. A dishwasher, trash compactor, numerous Sub-Zero under-counter refrigerator/freezer drawers, stove and oven round out the impressive galley.
And this boat offers up plenty of space for you and all your friends — the 76 features a five-stateroom layout with a full-beam master stateroom.
The remarkably large starboard crew's quarters comes with a head that would make many owners jealous. There's another cabin with an island double berth on centerline in the forepeak that boasts an extraordinary eight feet of headroom.
Cockpit
A new Release contour fighting chair commands attention in the center of the cockpit. The owner normally dictates the layout of boxes and equipment in the cockpit area, but this factory boat sported remarkably high mezzanine seats housing loads of storage, plus several deep freezes.
Viking added a very effective air-conditioning system with an independent compressor that dumps cool air out of a soffit over the mezzanine seating.
Interestingly, all the fish boxes lift out of the deck, affording incredible under-deck access and easy cleaning. Additionally, the glossy, centerline lazarette offers more space than usual thanks to the lack of tie bars on Viking's proprietary steering system.
