Marine
A 92-foot sportfishing yacht launches
with the new MTU Series 2000 M96
Who: Viking Yacht Company
What: MTU Series 2000 M96
Why: Faster acceleration, outstanding maneuverability,
fuel efficiency and EPA Tier 3 recreational-compliant
Where: New Gretna, New Jersey, USA
USA
Sportfishing yachts are getting bigger and
bigger. For most boats, this trend comes with
a price: the bigger a vessel, the more sluggishly
it accelerates and the more unwieldy it is to
maneuver. However, boat performance is
critical for fishing maneuvers in the heat
of battle. The new Viking 92 yacht provides
the best of both worlds: it is indeed bigger
than its predecessor, but thanks to MTU’s
new Series 2000 M96 engine, it is just as
nimble, and as swift as the big game fish its
designed to chase.
In May 2004, the Viking Yacht Company proved
that nimble sportfishing yachts over 70 feet were
possible, when they launched the Viking 74
Convertible. Tournament skippers and anglers
were pleased with its power and performance.
Four years later, Viking innovation took another
giant leap forward with the Viking 82. At 82 feet,
Viking’s flagship boat hit the sweet spot between
luxury and exceptional fishing ability.
In 2014, Viking raised the bar again with the
new Viking 92, the largest Viking afloat today.
The product of three years of intensive research,
design and development, the vessel not only
meets Viking’s high standards (and their
customers’), it actually shares similar acceleration
New Gretna, New Jersey, USA
and maneuverability of smaller-sized sportfishing
boats. To provide the necessary power and
performance, the Viking 92 is equipped with
the newest, most cutting-edge engine in the
industry—the MTU Series 2000 M96.
With a price tag of $10 million, the Viking 92 is
an unprecedented combination of impeccable
style and thunderous performance. “We focused
on the features a megayacht would have, while
keeping all the tournament fishing features of
our midrange convertible boats,” says Ryan
Higgins, sales manager at Viking Yacht Company.
“The Viking 92 is unlike anything out there. It’s
a competitive 92-foot fishing boat that’s as
luxurious as a 100-foot-plus yacht.”
Ryan Higgins, sales manager, Viking Yacht Company
“When you step on the boat, it feels like a
100-plus-foot boat. But when you‘re running it, it
feels smaller since it has such good maneuverability.
It accelerates like a boat in the 70-foot range.”
www.mtu-online.com
Power. Passion. Partnership.
Twin MTU Series 2000 M96 engines can power the Viking 92 at
speeds up to 35.7 knots (41 mph), without sacrificing maneuverability.
Top of the food chain
A Viking 92 is the ultimate big-game fishing
machine, built to accelerate, change directions
and perform complex fishing maneuvers. Ryan
Higgins served as the yacht’s captain on its 36hour maiden voyage from Viking headquarters in
New Jersey to Florida. He says, “When you step
on the boat, it feels like a 100-plus-foot boat. But
when you‘re running it, it feels smaller since it
has such good maneuverability. It accelerates
like a boat in the 70-foot range. It’s really
incredible that you can make a 92-footer spin
360 degrees on a fish, or go in reverse at 10
knots, doing the things you need to chase
down marlin.”
Most of the time, marlin, tuna, swordfish and
sailfish can be found far offshore, in rough waters
off the continental shelves of North and South
America. A Viking 92’s speed and range enables
the vessel to get to these hotspots fast—with a
smooth ride so anglers are comfortable when
their fishing lines hit the water. After all, with the
busy lives Viking owners lead, time is of the
essence. The more time they spend at fishing
grounds enjoying their passion, the better.
Newly redesigned powerhouses
In the gleaming white engine room, you’ll also
find the major source of the Viking 92’s power
and performance—twin MTU Series 2000 M96
engines. Continuing its long tradition of reliable
and efficient high-performance yacht engines,
the MTU Series 2000 M96 next generation engine
offers enhanced acceleration and low fuel
consumption in 12-cylinder ratings from 1700
bhp to 1920 bhp and 16-cylinder ratings from
2185 bhp to 2600 bhp of power, making it
particularly suitable for luxury and sportfishing
yachts. It is also backed by MTU’s Premium
Yacht Service, providing unparalleled support
for the engine over its entire lifespan.
Producing 2600 horsepower, the engine
meets current EPA Tier 3 recreational emissions
requirements. In addition to enhanced
performance, the engine’s new design reduces
noise and smoke.
As senior project engineer at Viking Yacht
Company, Bill Gibbons put the engines to the
test during several sea trials aboard the Viking
92 Enclosed Bridge Convertible. Each trial
report details sea conditions and tabulates
comprehensive engine data. During one voyage,
Bill says, a number of MTU mechanical and
electrical engineers from Germany were on
board, analyzing engine data on their laptop
computers. Preliminary numbers from the sea
trials are impressive. The Viking 92 cruises at
31.5 knots (36 mph) at 2200 rpm, burning
approximately 200 gallons per hour. At full
load, the vessel can hit a speed of 35.7 knots
(41 mph), burning 257 gallons per hour.
“The Series 2000 M96 engine was the perfect
choice for this application. There are other
engines that can produce the same or more
horsepower, but they are twice the weight,” says
Bill. “The result of the engine’s redesign is faster
acceleration. That translates into more
responsiveness and better maneuverability.”
The complete package
“The new 16V 2000 M96L engines paired with
the Viking 92 Enclosed Bridge Convertible is a
powerful combination and one that will surely
make waves at sea,” said Andrew Boyer, senior
sales manager, MTU America. “Because our
customers demand high levels of performance
and reliability, it was essential for the next
generation of MTU yacht engines to create
excitement and set a new standard for the
pleasure craft industry.”
A full system provider, MTU has also outfitted
the Viking 92 with its latest control and
monitoring system, BlueVision New Generation
(BVNG), which features standard color displays,
integrated start-stop control and standard
shipyard interface. The system is complete
with simple harnessing to enabling ease of
installation. Through Remote Services, the
captain can monitor MTU engine data and
systems activity via smartphone, before he steps
on board. This helps save valuable service time
in the future and keeps routine maintenance
checks on schedule.
Another innovation in the Viking 92’s bridge is
a new Joystick System that is fully integrated to
BVNG as an option. Designed for the pleasure
craft market, this new Joystick System will be
available in early 2015 and will offer intuitive
maneuverability, thruster compatibility and
GPS-based station keeping.
Bill Gibbons, senior project engineer, Viking Yacht Company
“The Series 2000 M96 engine was the perfect
choice for this application. There are other engines
that can produce the same or more horsepower,
but they are twice the weight.”
Power. Passion. Partnership.
The new Series 2000 M96 engine is ideal for the new class of
larger sportfishing yachts. In addition to enhanced acceleration,
the M96 meets EPA Tier 3 recreational standards without sacrificing
fuel-efficiency.
Luxury at sea
While the Viking 92’s bridge is decked out with all
the latest technology and the engine room purrs
with twin powerhouses at the ready, the Viking
92’s main salon and staterooms resemble a
floating luxury penthouse, with all the features
buyers have come to expect in their own homes.
Curved doorways, exquisite custom woodwork
and other designer touches are in abundance at
every turn. The yacht is equipped with eight TVs,
many of which rise from teak cabinetry at the
touch of a button. All countertops feature custom
selected granite. Eight guests can dine in pure
style in an air-conditioned dining area. And
the galley is appointed with top-of-the-line
appliances and a pair of walk-in pantries.
Below deck, there are six spacious staterooms,
each with its own private head and shower. The
master suite features a king-size bed, walk-in
closet, dressing table, his and her bathrooms,
and a 65-inch TV. The master suite was designed
to share similar dimensions and features with
those commonly found in 130-plus-foot
megayachts. Just like larger motor yachts, the
Viking 92 accommodates a separate area for
the crew quarters and galley. With the yacht’s
spaciousness, comfort and 4,000-gallons
of fuel capacity, the vessel is perfect for
long-range travelling.
The Viking Yacht Company has met the challenge
of designing a bigger, better, more luxurious and
more cutting-edge sportfishing yacht—without
sacrificing performance, thanks to the Series
2000 M96 engine. It’s no wonder that buyers
have taken the bait.
MTU America Inc.
A Rolls-Royce Power Systems Company
www.mtu-online.com
The MTU brand is part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, providing
high-speed engines and propulsion systems for marine, rail, power
generation, oil and gas, agriculture, mining, construction and industrial,
and defense applications. The portfolio is comprised of diesel
engines with up to 10,000 kilowatts and gas engines up to 2,530
kilowatts power output. MTU also offers customized electronic
monitoring and control systems for its engines and propulsion systems.
©2015 08 296 (52 1E)
Power. Passion. Partnership.