I learned what work is at the many marinas in my small, New Jersey shore hometown, washing boats, pumping fuel and anti-fouling hulls. During my first years of college, I kept a seasonal gig here, far removed from my dorm and the bedroom communities of city commuters that I was bound to join upon graduation.
Summers at the fuel dock meant listening to the sportfish guys opine on the state’s two big-dog battlewagon builders, Viking and Ocean Yachts. Among the cognoscenti was a real and often heated rivalry. The builders did compete fiercely for market share, but their mutual respect and admiration was clear: more than 25 years of Viking vs. Ocean Showdown fishing tournaments speak to this.
When Ocean Yachts and its Mullica River facility were acquired by Viking with plans to retool, the Ocean 37 was a vessel well-suited for the Viking lineup. Success was immediate—Viking built 24 of the 37-footers before retiring the mold with plans for another boat in the size range. “We aimed to build on the success of the 37 Billfish and refine an already great product,” said Viking Director of Communications Chris Landry.
The Viking 38 Billfish is the synergy of both builders. John Leek IV, who ran Ocean Yachts (and whose grandfather founded the company) is now general manager of Viking Mullica where the 38 is built. “We’ve been developing the 38 as a successor to the 37, keeping the momentum going to take a great boat to the next level,” Leek said. The design brief has been updated, taking the handsome, utilitarian 37 and giving it a contoured makeover. There’s more shape in the superstructure, more rake in the bow and more radius in the deckhouse. “[It] has sleek styling. Everything fits better and flows better,” said Leek.
