02/2010 –

Viking Yachts announced during last Miami Boat Show that its all-new 42 Open and 42 Convertible sportfish vessels will be powered exclusively by the Cummins MerCruiser Diesel Zeus pod propulsion system.

Viking, the legendary yacht builder from New Gretna, N.J., made the announcement in its booth at the Yacht and Brokerage Show in Miami Beach just after the show opened for its five-day run. Production on the 42 Convertible begins immediately, with delivery of hull No. 1 slated for this summer.

Viking Yachts President Patrick Healey revealed the big secret in front of a select group of Viking dealers and partners. The new models were designed from conception to be powered by pods and to take full advantage of all of the benefits Zeus brings to the table. For instance, they will be the first Zeus-powered sportfish boats to be built in such a way that allows the engines to be housed under the cockpit sole, freeing up more than six feet of cabin space versus a typical inboard arrangement. This abundance of interior space – unprecedented in a 42-foot sportfish – provides room for two or three staterooms, two heads and huge salon in the Convertible. The Open is available in two basic configurations: The first with two staterooms, one head and a salon, and a second with three staterooms and two heads.

Both models measure 42 feet, 7 inches long, with a beam of 15 feet, 10 inches. The Convertible displaces 35,999 pounds with a draft of 3 feet, 7 inches, and the Open weighs in at 32,699 pounds with a draft of 3 feet, 5 inches. Standard power will be a pair of Cummins MerCruiser Diesel QSB5.9-liter, 440-mhp diesel engines, coupled with Zeus 3000 series pods.

Peter Frederiksen, Director of Communications for Viking Yachts, said his company is eager to bring such a unique value package to the market. “We are excited about these new models and the performance and value the Zeus system will provide to Viking customers,” he said.

Cummins MerCruiser Diesel introduced the revolutionary Zeus propulsion system to the boating world in 2006. The Zeus system utilizes CMD’s new joystick control system, taking away much of the stress and worry typically associated with docking a boat. The Zeus system has received critical acclaim throughout the marine industry, earning Motor Boating magazine’s 2007 Best of the Year Award for Advanced Technology.

CMD President Alex Savelli said his organization couldn’t be prouder to partner with such an industry icon, especially on groundbreaking project like the new 42. “Viking Yachts are known the world over as some of the finest vessels at any price,” he said. “We are ecstatic that Mr. Healey and his staff have chosen Zeus to power their new 42, and I know it will meet the incredibly high standards that the Viking brand has set.”

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