Viking Jobs -- History


	March 14, 2010

Perspective • Milestones • Awards

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Viking Yacht Company - A Historical Perspective...
With an eye on the past, Viking looks to the future.

A Viking History

Having built more than 3,900 yachts over the last 39 years, Viking celebrates its rich boatbuilding heritage and looks ahead to an exciting future. In 1964, Bob and Bill Healey, now Chairman and President, respectively, of Viking Yacht Company, purchased Petersen Viking Builders, a small New Jersey builder of 37-foot wooden cruising and sportfishing yachts.

With a hands-on approach to running their business, informed by a perfectionist mind-set, and through incorporation of the newest computer-based technologies, the Healeys have transformed Viking Yachts into one of the world’s largest and most respected luxury performance yacht builders.

With our sales limited only by our production capacity, 100 Viking yachts averaging $1,600,000 are built each year in our state-of-the-art 500,000 square foot New Gretna, New Jersey manufacturing facility, where 1100 dedicated employees produce 90% of what goes into each yacht. This capability permits the ultimate in consistency and quality control, allows Viking to accommodate customer requests for custom features and results in very attractive delivery schedules. Viking’s long-time, in-house research, design, engineering and manufacturing teams have unprecedented yacht-building experience, producing eleven models from 45 to 74 feet and introducing several new models each year.

A Team Approach

In 1996, Viking joined forces with Europe’s leading builder of high-end cruising yachts, Princess Yachts International PLC, to produce Viking Sport Cruisers to Viking’s specifications. Today, Viking is the dominant market player with a combined lineup of 24 models from 45 to 84 feet, the most comprehensive in the industry.

Viking Yacht Company and Viking Sport Cruisers have much in common besides a name—performance, luxury, benchmark engineering, quality, value, and prestige of ownership—and that’s just for starters. They also combine similar management philosophies with over 70 years of accumulated experience, 2,300 dedicated craftspeople and the most advanced, time-tested construction methods and materials to produce the finest yachts of their kind available anywhere.

All Vikings offer a blend of performance, handling and spacious accommodations that, when combined with Viking's extensive sales and service support network, preferred insurance risk status and strong resale values, makes them unrivaled on today's market. All these elements add up to The Viking Difference.

People Taking Care of People

As we celebrate the 39^th anniversary of Viking’s ownership and management by the Healey family, Viking also commemorates its long relationship with its many loyal customers, dealers and vendors. Many Viking owners have, in the past few years, purchased their sixth or seventh Viking, eloquent testimony to the regard these experienced yachting and sportfishing families have for Viking. Viking’s dealers, among the most well established and knowledgeable in the industry, offer our customers the most pleasurable boating experience possible, and for many yachtsmen, rekindle their interest in all that boating has to offer. Viking’s vendors are on the cutting edge in their fields, perfecting and providing the very best goods and services that go into building each Viking yacht.

Staying Focused

In spite of its steadily growing annual production figures, Viking's attitude is still to build one boat at a time. For Viking employees, this means keeping in mind that the boats they are working on today are the most important products that have ever gone out Viking’s door. For Viking management, it means that owner satisfaction is the bottom line. This corporate mind set—staying focused on the right priorities—has resulted in steady growth for Viking as well as many pleasurable years of sportfishing and cruising for its customers.

Corporate autonomy is another factor which allows Viking to produce world-class yachts. Sole ownership by the Healeys allows Viking to respond quickly when needed, an added dividend for the yacht owner. Hard decisions that cost the company in the short term have been and will continue to be made without having to answer to foreign or domestic boards of directors or to outside accountants. This gives Viking unequaled latitude to serve the interests of its customers while providing a superior Viking product in the long term.

Continuous Refinement

When Viking started building in fiberglass in the early 1970s, new construction and design possibilities opened up. Viking was able to combine great strength, lighter weight and advanced hull designs. These hulls could take punishment offshore while delivering the kind of performance boaters had previously only dreamed about. Viking introduced its 40-foot Convertible in 1973 and went on to sell over
600 40/41' models over the next 16 years. Every Viking built since has

shared this basic hull design, with evolutionary refinements being made to accommodate steadily increasing available horsepower and speed.

Details, Details

Viking’s in-house design team, headed by company President Bill Healey and resident yacht designer Bruce Wilson, has studied test data and conducted extensive on-board observations and analysis to refine hull forms. Now the industry standard in hull design, Vikings are incredibly smooth riding, dry and efficient while tracking true in any direction to the sea.

Viking’s commitment to "getting it right the first time" has paid off in other areas, including consistently high resale values and strong customer loyalty to Viking. Viking’s unsurpassed national and international dealer service and parts support network is yet another reason for strong customer satisfaction. Safety of design and quality of construction are cited by insurers as reasons for Viking Yachts being considered Preferred Marine Insurance Risks. Viking is also taking an increasing market share from the competition, with more 40-60' Sportfishermen delivered during the last two years than the two leading competitors combined. Viking’s unmatched engineering prowess and complete control over the manufacturing process—over 90% of each yacht is built in-house at Viking—results in a high level of quality control. Going "Beyond Custom" provides demanding customers with the best custom sportfishing and cruising features along with attractive delivery dates.

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Recent Viking Milestones

A New Class of Luxury Convertible - The Viking 74

The salon features a 42" Sony plasma television on a mechanism that raises and lowers it from the hand-fitted teak cabinetry opposite the U-shaped lounge. The home theatre system also includes a Sony DVD/CD player, Sony VCR and FM stereo with custom surround sound speakers.

The galley is a chef’s delight with its granite countertops, undercounter refrigeration, surface-mounted electric cooktop, oven and microwave. Substantial stowage is provided behind teak cabinets and large pull-out drawers. In addition, there is a full-size, private day head.The galley also offers two separate dining areas with a dinette to starboard, and three bar stools to port.

Available with four or five staterooms, as well as a choice of an open or climate-controlled enclosed bridge layouts with an available inside spiral staircase to the bridge, the 74 Convertible favors maximum privacy and comfort whether campaigning on the tournament trail or cruising secluded islands in the Bahamas.

An exhaustive standard equipment list includes chilled-water air conditioning, an Atlas power system, Headhunter heads, two 27.5 kW gensets, spacious crew quarters with private access and a 218 square-foot cockpit with every tournament amenity, including the convenience of a mezzanine deck for relaxing or watching baits.

With propeller pockets reducing its project draft to 5'8" and a 2,400-gallon fuel capacity, the Viking 74 Convertible will surpass the best in class by creating an entirely new class of luxury convertible.

We cordially invite you and your Viking dealer to visit our plant in New Gretna and inspect the full-size mock-up of the four-stateroom Viking 74 Convertible, which will be available for your perusal beginning in June 2003.

The All-New 56 Convertible

Replacing a popular boat is always a challenge. But the new 56 Convertible succeeds handily in a number of ways. Longer and wider than its predecessor, the 56 Convertible shares the sleek sheer line of its newer stable mates. Upon closer examination, however, the differences, both major and subtle become apparent. Nearly a foot wider and with considerably more flare than the 55, the new 56 features significantly more crown on the flying bridge deck. Aft, the cabin sides taper inward slightly, a design tweak that helps to eliminate the station wagon effect when the boat is underway. This contributes to a cleaner cockpit by pushing away the spray and exhaust that typically would filter back into the area. Oval exhaust ports add a custom touch.

While the entry and chines also have been refined, a major design change is the inclusion of propeller pockets, which reduces the draft to 4 ft. 7 in. Inside the boat, more improvements and upgrades can be noted. The 56 Convertible carries nearly 1,500 gallons of fuel. No other boat in its class has this capacity. All fuel, water and waste tanks are made in-house of fiberglass, and each tank is designed to mirror the bottom of the boat for maximum draw. Further, each tank is fiberglassed into place and contributes additional strength to the hull.

In the engineroom, the 56 is equipped with Delta T moisture eliminators and axial fans so the machinery space is well ventilated with clean flowing air. The increased flow provides volumes of fresh air for combustion and keeps salt mist outside the boat. Engines are mounted on powder-coated structural-steel web-frame beams, which hang on dedicated transverse bulkheads to insure drive-train alignment. Viking wrote the book on engineroom design and the 56 clearly demonstrates what we have learned over the past 39 years. From the Awlgrip finish to the labeling of every pump and through-hull fitting, Viking enginerooms resemble works of art. Power choices range from high horsepower MAN, MTU and Caterpillar diesels delivering mid-30 knot cruise speeds to over 40 knots depending upon load, engines and sea conditions.

The 45 Convertible - Setting New Standards in Mid-sized Performance.

The new Viking 45 is built in the tradition of its larger siblings and shares all of the engineering attributes that have made Viking synonymous with blue-water performance and luxury. Built to deliver the utmost quality, the Viking 45 represents everything Viking Yachts is noted for in a mid-sized convertible.

A sleek sheer and a flow of soft curves gives the 45 Convertible an eye pleasing profile at the dock and underway. Generously proportioned from the raked stem to the roomy cockpit, the 45 Convertible is handsome and versatile. A strong performer with a choice of fuel-efficient, turbocharged diesels, the sharp entry, molded chines, 15-degree transom deadrise and fairbody running surface combine to create a hard charger with reserve muscle to weather the conditions typically experienced in the deep without breaking a sweat. And with just two major components, the hull and the deck, house and cockpit assembly, the 45 Convertible is a rugged, durable mass of marine engineering and state-of-the-art technology.

Offshore fishermen will like what they see in the 119 square-foot cockpit. Underfoot, grippy, molded nonslip provides secure traction. Built into the after bulkhead is a bait freezer, a tackle cabinet, a bait center, a stowage locker and engineroom access. A compre-hensive list of standard equipment includes a Glendinning Cablemaster shore power cord, flush rodholders, fresh and sea-water washdown systems, stereo speakers, transom door, drink box in the salon step and a one-piece aluminum ladder to the flying bridge. An aluminum plate laminated into the cockpit sole anchors the owner supplied fighting chair. An insulated fish box is flanked by stowage wells, one of which can be converted to a live well.

Low side wings afford spectacular visibility from the flying bridge. Helm and companion pedestal seats are standard and the long bridge deck not only allows ample room for guests to maneuver behind the chairs, but also shields the cockpit from sun and spray.

Electronics stow in three separate weatherproof compartments convenient to the helmsman's line of sight and the engine gauge package is equally easy to monitor. Power-assisted hydraulic steering is standard and electronic controls and trolling valves also are available. Ahead of the console is a comfortable L-shaped lounge with ample stowage below. There is additional stowage beneath the starboard lounge and aft facing jump seat.

Taking full advantage of the husky beam, the salon is impressive. An L-shaped sofa converts to a double bed and has rod stowage below. Forward, the U-shaped galley features undercounter refrigeration and solid surface countertops. Appliances are concealed behind beautifully hand-finished teak joinery. Stowage is surprisingly abundant thanks to sliding dual-rack systems in the deep cabinetry. Opposite the galley the cozy dinette is inviting for snacking or full-course meals.
The 45 Convertible has two large staterooms. The master stateroom forward has a walkaround berth and access to a private head with stall shower. Amidships, the guest stateroom to port offers the convenience of upper and lower berths along with a second head and stall shower.

In the engineroom, Viking's engineering benchmarks are numerous. Engines are mounted to powder-coated structural-steel web frame beds that are secured to dedicated transverse composite bulkheads, which assure drive train alignment and minimize vibration. Daily maintenance checks for the machinery are inboard for easy service. Finished in white Awlgrip, the engineroom sparkles with efficiencies and attention to detail.

With the exception of some major components such as engines, generators, air conditioning and pumps, virtually 90 percent of the boat is fabricated and built by Viking's skilled technicians. Fiberglass fuel, water and waste tanks, for example, are designed and built at our plant to mirror the inside of the hull to maximize capacity and range. Electrical harnesses, aluminum bow and safety railings are crafted in-house. We even manufacture our own shower sump systems and fiberglass exhaust ports.

In essence, when you leave the dock aboard the 45 Convertible, you are going to sea with 39 years of Viking know-how and experience. We invite you to contact your dealer to arrange a sea trial and a visit to our 550,000 square-foot modern facility on the Bass River near Atlantic City, NJ.

The Perfect Boat for Blue-water Fishing and Cruising - The 45 Open

A smart looking Express with attitude, boasting a large cockpit and centerline helm with L-shaped seating is the ideal combination for family fun. Comfortable overnight accommodations for four include a well-equipped galley, nicely appointed salon and a full-size walkaround berth in the master stateroom.

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Awards

Viking’s Bill and Bob Healey Inducted into the National Marine Manufacturers Association Hall of Fame

At a special breakfast presentation held on October 29, 2003 during the International Boatbuilders’ Exhibition & Conference in Miami Beach, Florida, Viking Yachts’ Bill and Bob Healey were recognized by their peers and inducted into the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Hall of Fame for their selfless contributions to the recreational marine industry.

In his address at the industry attended breakfast, NMMA Board of Directors’ Chairman, Bill Barrington said, “The Healey’s involvement in the recreational boating industry dates back to the 1950s, when the two purchased a financially troubled, local boat builder, which was later renamed Viking Yachts. As co-founders of Viking Yachts, the Healeys have turned the company into the world’s largest manufacturer of high-end sportfishing and cruising yachts. While working to build Viking into the success it is today, the Healey brothers have always had a strong commitment to the marine industry—dedicating their time and money to improving the industry.”

From organizing out-of-work boat builders to fight the federal luxury tax in 1991, to founding the New Jersey Boat Builders Association, to creating the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), which fights to preserve the rights of sportfishing enthusiasts, the Healey brothers have a deep devotion to the betterment of the marine industry.

The Healeys have pre p a red hundreds for careers in boat building through programs at local schools and have an open door policy at Viking, which welcomes anyone to its New Gretna, New Jersey facility to see Viking technology first-hand.

Among their many industry honors, Bob, Bill and Pat Healey, Bill’s son, received the Ernst & Young 1998 New Jersey Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year Award. In 2001 the Healey Brothers were recognized for their contributions to boating by the NMMA and MotorBoating magazine with the prestigious Chapman Award.

At a time when the brothers could take a well-earned rest, Bob and Bill are busier than ever. When not promoting the RFA or industry issues in Washington, Bob can often be found at Viking. Bill is at the plant daily to ensure Viking is “building a better boat everyday” and still makes it a point to say good night to his 1,200 employees each evening.

Bill and Bob Healey Receive Prestigious Chapman Award

Bill and Bob Healey, co-founders and co-owners of the Viking Yacht Company, were awarded the 23^rd Annual Chapman Award during the Miami International Boat Show. The Charles F. Chapman Award was established in 1977 by the National Marine Manufacturers Association and Motor Boating & Sailing magazine in memory of that publications former editor and publisher, who died in 1977.

The award is meant to honor individuals or groups within the marine industry who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of boating for the benefit of the recreational boating industry and boating public. Motor Boating editor, Louisa Rudeen, made the presentation.

The Healey brothers are well deserving of the award. Since founding Viking Yachts in 1964, the brothers have consistently expanded the envelope, creating a product line that is today considered the Mercedes Benz of the yachting world. The company built 107 yachts last year and introduced a new model, the Viking 61 Convertible, which is sold out through the summer of 2002. Now entering its 37^th year, Viking Yachts has delivered over 3,700 boats up to 72 feet and the brothers’ tenacious commitment to excellence remains as strong as ever. Viking’s 540,000-square-foot plant on the Bass River is undergoing $10 million worth of machinery upgrades, renovations and improvements. Employment at the plant has swelled to 1,200 dedicated craftsmen and Viking plans to open a service center in Riviera Beach, Florida, (near Palm Beach) this fall.

It wasn’t always this way. In 1991 Viking and the rest of the marine industry was devastated by a federal luxury tax. Viking closed its Florida manufacturing facility and lost 1,500 of its 1,560 employees. Bill and Bob kept Viking Yachts open by using their personal assets. They spearheaded a drive to overthrow the tax with demonstrations, boat burnings, letter-writing campaigns and nonstop political badgering. All the while, Viking was busy redesigning its models and, when the tax was abolished in 1993, Viking came out of the gate running. The company quickly raced to the pinnacle of the industry, where it remains today.

For nearly four decades, the Healey brothers have been catalysts for change and protectors of the marine industry. In 1996, Bob Healey founded the Recreational Fishing Alliance, a marine conservation group dedicated to the wise use of our marine resources. The Healey brothers have donated more than $1 million of their own money to this cause. They also have worked closely with the American Boat & Yacht Council and the National Marine Manufacturers Association to develop big boat standards that benefit the entire industry and the boat-buying public.

"The Healey brothers embody the best traditions of our industry as well as a true passion for boating," Rudeen said. "On behalf of Motor Boating magazine, the NMMA and the boating industry, we are proud to honor Bob and Bill for their significant contributions to sport of boating sport and boating industry."