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Viking Yachts Factory Tour

An inside look at the popular New Jersey boatbuilding facility

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.

viking yachts factory sign
The Viking facility is located on the Bass River in the small town of New Gretna, New Jersey, about 30 minutes from Atlantic City. Sam White
viking yachts factory workers
A heavy hoist runs down each production line to lift substantial items like this MTU engine safely into place. Sam White
viking yachts factory interior
The new engine is carefully lowered into the boat. Sam White
viking yachts factory gyro stabilizer
Technicians make the final connections to a Seakeeper gyrostabilizer. Sam White
viking yachts factory boat mezzanine
Part of the deck on a 92-foot sport-fisher is lifted into place. Sam White
boat hull inside viking yachts factory
The interior space is truly amazing. Sam White
viking yachts factory
One of the fuel tanks for a new Viking, prior to pressure testing and final installation. Sam White
viking yachts factory aluminum i-beams
These beefy aluminum beams are installed atop the stringers as part of the engine bed structure. Sam White
viking yachts factory boat exterior
A new Viking nears completion. Sam White
viking yachts factory boat hull assembly
The finishing touches are installed here, including towers, electronics and more. Sam White
viking yachts factory boat bow
A new boat is almost ready for the water. Sam White
viking yachts factory assembled boat
Prior to splashing, the boat’s bottom is painted and the propellers installed. Sam White
viking yachts factory boat propellers
With the wheels in place, this one is almost ready for a sea trial. Sam White
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