When the owner of a Seakeeper-equipped Viking 66 yacht approached the venerable Viking Yachts about purchasing Hull #1 of the largest vessel in its 50 year history—the ground-breaking Viking 92 Enclosed Bridge Convertible motor yacht SCOOTER —both knew it would include a Seakeeper. Superyacht SCOOTER has been equipped with the new Seakeeper 35 model, launched by Seakeeper, the world-renowned company specializing in gyro stabilization, in 2014.
Viking 92 Enclosed Bridge Convertible Yacht Scooter on her maiden voyage - Photo credit to Viking Yachts
Known for unprecedented quality without any sacrifice to performance, Viking Yachts has installed Seakeeper gyros on close to 50 boats. “The people at Seakeeper are a good partner for us, they’re interested in selling the whole Viking experience ,” said Peter Frederiksen, Viking Yachts marketing director. And on a 92′, state-of-the-art sportfisher that will make 36 kts, part of that experience is unmatched stability without affecting hull dynamics.
“The Viking 92 is luxurious, it’s fast, it’s made to fish and to do everything you could possibly want. The Seakeeper brings in that ‘other’ factor,” said Frederiksen, “and it really makes a difference in the overall experience of the boat. You can never achieve this speed with your typical stabilizers that extend outside the hull.”
Viking captain Ryan Higgins can attest. Recently out in rough conditions—20 kts out of the northeast, tight 4–6′ waves—the Seakeeper 35 excelled on the Viking 92 luxury yacht SCOOTER. The stabilizing effect when turning on the Seakeeper is beyond merely noticeable. “It’s like a light switch when you lock it down. It’s pretty impressive. You don’t look at the waves the same way when you have a Seakeeper,” said Higgins.
He notes that many owners of Seakeeper -equipped Vikings are able to fish more, going out on days others typically stay ashore. “On rough days, without a gyro, you’re limited to trolling up- and down-sea for comfort; in more of a beam sea you tend to roll like crazy in a non-Seakeeper boat. Seakeepers are able to troll at any angle, in any sea condition. It’s a definite advantage from that standpoint.”
“Viking is known for unparalleled performance and exceptionally beautiful and luxurious yachts, and we’ve had great success with our gyros in their boats,” said Andrew Semprevivo, Seakeeper VP of sales and marketing. “Our new Seakeeper 35 is perfect for the 92’s needs. It enriches what is already an unsurpassed onboard experience.”
The 35 is designed for single installation use in vessels up to 140 tons. Like all Seakeepers, it draws minimal power and reduces resonant roll by 70-90%, whether a boat is at rest, slow speed or underway. The compact and lightweight systems are completely internal, quiet, easily – installed and virtually maintenance -free.
For future Viking 92 builds, the Seakeeper 35 will be a standard option. Viking also offers Seakeeper on all models from 42′ to 92′. “It’s right there in the beginning,” notes Frederiksen. “We tell people, ‘you definitely want a Seakeeper.’ When people experience it, they want it.” The first Viking 92 yacht SCOOTER made her debut at the 2014 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
