Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht

It’s not easy when a large yacht builder transitions into building smaller boats.

There have been several that tried and, I won’t say failed, but didn’t live up to the hype. It’s not easy scaling from one design to another, to a different client base, to a different market value, to a workable margin.

But one company has figured out how to create a new line of relatively smaller yachts, maintaining the expected level of craftsmanship, delivering the same level of quality as the bigger brethren, and maintaining its company credo of “Building a better boat every day.”

That company is Viking Yachts with its line of Valhalla Boatworks models from 28 to 55 feet. Valhalla has made a strong entrance into the center-console marketplace and now stands as a distinct brand within the Viking family, backed by Viking’s engineering, craftsmanship and boat building experience.

Valhalla’s latest entry is the Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht (SY), and it’s a game changer. It delivers the Valhalla quality through the Viking pedigree and incorporates its own style and panache.

As we got on board hull No. 6 (yes, they are selling!), my point person, Christian Parrot, captain at Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales, the exclusive Great Lakes Valhalla dealer, beamed like a proud father, eager to show me the finer points of the 55 SY. Don’t expect two rows of tiered seating, Palm Beach Tower rig or built-in bait wells. No, this is a sport yacht, the cruiser edition of the 55. It’s the enclosed helm version that extends your boating season in comfort, allowing you to run around in the north for the summer and hit the Bahamas for a getaway in the winter. It’s built for the cruising crowd, but certainly ready for offshore fishing.

Styled right

The 55 SY is no slouch. Bolted to a generously sized swim platform are four Mercury Verado V12 600-hp outboards. Not only do these power plants deliver the punch when needed, but they are also wonderfully quiet. I like the 600s, as the installation is much cleaner, engines can be installed closer together, and the upper unit doesn’t move, only the lower unit rotates. Two-speed transmissions enhance acceleration in first gear and shift to second for increased efficiency.

With an unbroken sheer from stem to stern akin to a Viking sportfish, the 55 SY has curb appeal thanks to the gentle curves and well-proportioned house. The 55 SY’s swept-back, four-sided fiberglass pilothouse features tinted windows and a hardtop that extends aft over the summer kitchen or bar. Support arches project outboard to the coamings, giving the boat a clean, sculpted profile. Above, the radar mast accommodates electronics and navigation equipment.

As this is a cabin design, there are plenty of opportunities to open her up and allow fresh air in while expanding the social areas. Along the aft bulkhead is a portside entry door and a huge drop-down metal-framed window that opens up the salon to the aft deck. Powered sliding pilothouse side doors to port and starboard open the helm area to fresh air and provide easy access to the side decks. For adding real estate or for waterside lounging are port and starboard powered balconies that flip out, extending the usable space of the cockpit.

Running attititude

Understand that the 55 SY is no less of a performer than the original 55. In fact, they share the same hull design — a tried-and-true setup as proven on the 55. With the patented Stepped-V Ventilated Tunnel hull design by Michael Peters Yacht Design — a renowned naval architect known for crafting high-performance boats — the 55 SY has the speed, seakeeping ability and durability to take on the rivers, lakes and oceans she may ply. I’m thinking this could be a fantastic Great Loop boat. The deep-V, double-stepped, 22.5-degree deadrise hull offers a premium ride and great visibility throughout the rpm ranges. Wide-open throttle resulted in approximately 52 knots, with a stated cruising speed range of 39 to 48 knots. That gives you options depending on conditions. The Seakeeper 10 improves comfort at rest, at slow speeds and while drifting.

At the con

With three diamond-stitched electric helm chairs, the operator and navigators are in total comfort. Fitted with three 24-inch Garmin multifunction displays, you can monitor engine and system operations, as well as any navigation needs from the uncluttered dash. The console does house the throttles, joystick, flush-mounted operational buttons and VHF. There’s an overhead console for more electronics. Visibility is exceptional through the single-pane windshield, with clear, unobstructed sightlines. Cooling AC is funneled toward the helm seat backs. You really don’t know what you’re missing if you’ve never had this feature before.

Go aft, young man

With a spacious layout, the cockpit deck is a design in comfort. My test ride had a U-shape settee surrounding a fiberglass table with a faux teak finish. This made for a great dining area, but is also usable as forward-facing loungers. Drop the table, add in the filler cushions, and make it a large sunpad. The preferred way to the forward bow is via the portside 19-inch-wide deck and 30-inch-high gunnels. The raised starboard side deck adds volume to the lower accommodations.

If you think all that’s nice, head to the bow. Three lounge seats are on the cabin top with tilt-up backrests and safety grabrails. Just forward is a skylight panel that floods the interior with ambient light. Forward of that is the C-shape bow seating that flanks a hi-low faux teak table. With comfortable seating for eight, this is the spot for a group to hang out or for the kids to enjoy the ride.

Cabin fever

The 55 SY sports a neat cabin, with a galley, two heads with separate showers, and two staterooms. Located on the starboard side, the galley has fridge drawers, a two-burner Invisacook induction cooktop, a microwave, and a dinette to port.

A VIP primary in the bow has a queen berth, skylight, 32-inch TV, under berth drawers, cabinets, two lockers and hullside windows. Deck hatches offer access to bilge pumps, a water heater, a shower sump and water lines, all neatly run and tie-wrapped.

A guest stateroom is midship, with our test boat sporting double/single berths, both with ample space for storing bags or provisions. Opt for a queen berth setup or even make it a lounge area if not needed for a stateroom. USB ports and outlets are included, as is the flat-screened TV.

One key feature carried over from Viking is that every piece of wood has a serial number on it. If a piece is ever damaged or scratched, Valhalla can recreate that piece down to the exact grain pattern for replacement.

Your wish…

If you really like the 55 SY but prefer a more fishing-oriented boat with the cabin comforts, this can be arranged, as Valhalla is a semi-custom builder. One owner desired more fishing space, baitwells and rod holders, so he ordered his 55 SY without the lounge seating and table.

With a sturdy ride from the hand-laminated PVC- cored hull to the creature comforts befitting a cruiser to the remarkable craftsmanship that comes from years of building blue water yachts, the Valhalla 55 SY has been given the best of the best to be the best.