2007 Viking Princess Express Cruiser

It starts with hull design.

A 15-mph northerly is blowing up a short but steep two- to three-foot chop off the coast of Riviera Beach, Florida. I position the knife-like bow of the Viking Sport Cruisers' V53 Yacht into the oncoming chop, shove the single-lever Volvo Penta electronic controls to the pins, hold the wheel, and prepare for impact. But there isn't any.

The Bernard Olesinski-designed deep-V hull, in which that sharp entry transitions to 21 degrees at the stern, is slicing the sea steadily as the optional twin D12-800 diesel inboards hit a top rpm of 2300. Although the 53 is easily reaching an average speed of 37.3 mph, I'm dialing the engines back to a quite-comfortable 2000 rpm, where the V53 is cutting the water just as smoothly at 32 mph. According to Volvo Penta, the D12's optimum cruise rpm is 2150, and at that setting she's reaching 34.4 mph.

The V53 is also smooth from a standing start, lifting easily out of the hole. I attribute this in part to the fact that her running surface extends under the teak-covered integral swim platform, which adds buoyancy aft and helps the boat run level. Eight-inch prop pockets reduce shaft angle, which translates into improved efficiency and a reduced draft (4'1") that will keep all of those skinny-water Bahamian ports of call within easy reach.

I decide to put her power-assisted steering system to the test with hard-over turns, and she gracefully comes about in around two boat lengths with just a 150-rpm drop on the Volvo Penta diesels. She's leaning slightly inboard, and it occurs to me that on boats of this genre, visibility is often obscured to inboard because of excessive heel. This is not the case on the V53, thanks also to two-foot-high (at the helm) side windows that run the entire length of the optional carbon fiber hardtop.

The V53 is running well up and down sea, so I put her beam-to the chop to see if she has that uncomfortable snap roll often found in deep-V designs. While the roll is quick, it's not snapping and appears damped by the hull's reverse chines.

Later I learn that a tough build supports this well-designed running bottom. The V53's hull is solid fiberglass below the waterline with PVC coring in her hull sides for added rigidity without excessive weight (dry weight is approximately 40,800 pounds). The hull-to-deck joint is both bonded with 5200 adhesive and through-bolted about every three inches, and the area where the rubrail mounts has also been strengthened with a heavier lamination schedule. Perhaps that's why the boat never rattles or shakes while running through the chop. Even the hardtop locks into place without a rattle or squeek.  

Well designed and built as she is, the V53 has, by virtue of her three-stateroom/2 head layout, is quite impressive. As I look around the D12 Volvo engines and optional 13.5-kW Onan genset located here, all regular maintenance items, such as the dual Separ fuel-water separators, are within arm's reach of the ladder.

Space is plentiful is the cockpit-bridge deck area. This one-level open space with maximum headroom of 6'7" possesses not one, but two high-gloss-teak tables and seating under the hardtop. If you're into alfresco dining and on-the-water entertaining, you'll like this layout. Outfitted with bridge-deck air conditioning, the V53 will be a hit on the southeast dayboating and Bahamas cruise circuits. And when it's time to catch some rays, you can choose from the aft or foredeck sunpads or just retract that roof.

Spend a day onboard the 53 by taking note of the attractive and seamless gray burl dash at the helm. The cleanliness of this area, the neat, well-executed teak deck below your feet, and the smooth gelcoated surfaces all around indicate a builder that pays attention to the smallest details. 

Accommodations

Three staterooms and two heads. The master stateroom is forward with an island queen berth, private head and stall shower. There are two guest staterooms aft and one guest head.  Large salon and galley with high gloss cherry wood interior.

Electronics/Navigation

• Furuno 1934C GPS/chartplotter/radar 64NM ACR search light
• GPS/chartplotter
• Furuno Autopilot
• Furuno RD30 depth and speed log
• VHF Radio
• Under water lights

Salon & Dinette

• 110V Receptacles, GFI protected
• AC/DC Control panel
• AM/FM stereo/CD
• Cocktail cabinet with bottle storage
• Deck hatch with screen and blind
• Opening port lights
• Overhead and concealed lighting
• Sliding door to cockpit with tinted windows
• Stools, stowed in floor locker ( 2 )
• Storage cabinets
• Telephone outlet
• TV, 20" LCD and DVD
• U-shaped settee with dining table

Galley

• 110V receptacles, GFI protected
• Avonite countertop
• Electric range
• Exhaust fan
• Icemaker
• Microwave/convection oven
• Opening portlights
• Overhead lighting
• Refrigerator/freezer
• Stainless steel sink
• Storage drawers and cabinets
• Teak sole
• Waster disposal bin

Master Stateroom

• Island queen berth with drawers below
• 110V receptacles, GFI protected
• AM/FM stereo/CD/DVD
• Dressing table
• En suite head
• Fire extinguisher (handheld) and smoke detector
• Hanging locker with shelves
• Mirror
• Opening portlights
• Overhead and reading lights
• Storage lockers
• TV, 15" LCD

Master Head

• Avonite countertop
• Dulpex 110V GFI receptacles
• Exhaust fan
• Mirror
• Opening portlight
• Overhead lighting
• Shower
• Sink
• Storage locker
• Teak sole
• Vacuflush head

Guest Stateroom - Starboard

• Two full size single berths with double berth conversion
• 110V receptacles, GFI protected
• Dressing table
• Fire extinguisher (handheld) and smoke detector
• Hanging locker with shelf
• Night stand with storage
• Opening portlights
• Overhead and reading lights
• Storage lockers

Guest Stateroom - Port

• 110V receptacles, GFI protected
• Dressing table
• Fire extinguisher (handheld) and smoke detector
• Hanging locker with shelf
• Night stand with storage
• Opening portlight
• Overhead and reading lights
• Storage lockers
• Upper and lower twin berths

Guest Head

• Access from companionway
• Avonite countertop
• Duplex 110V GFI receptacle
• Exhaust fan
• Mirror
• Opening portlight
• Overhead lighting
• Port head also serves as day head
• Shower
• Sink
• Storage lockers
• Teak sole
• Vacuflush head

Construction

• Deep "V" hull with molded spray rails
• Engine beds integrally molded with hull
• Hand-laid fiberglass construction
• Heavy-duty PVC rub rails with 316 stainless steel inserts
• Integrally bonded stringer system
• Molded non-skid surfaces on side decks and foredeck
• Teak cockpit, bathing platform, and stairs

Mechanical

• Advanced Acoustical insulation
• Air-conditioning, zoned with reverse cycle head (36,000 BTU)
• Bilge pumps, electric with float and manual switch
• Bow thruster
• Contaminated fuel warning system
• Dripless shaft logs
• Engine room blowers
• Exhaust silencers for engines and generator
• Fire protection system, automatic and manual
• Fuel filters, high-capacity with water trap
• Fuel tanks, port and starboard in N4, marine grade alloy
• High volume air intakes with moisture eliminators
• Holding tank, 60 gals with dockside overboard pump out and gauge
• Holding tank, backup overboard discharge
• Oil change system for engines, transmissions and generator
• Power assisted hydraulic steering system
• Propellers, 4-bladed
• Propeller shafts, aquafoil in nickel aluminum bronze
• Remote fuel shut-offs
• Rudders, high-speed
• Water-flow failure light and alarm at main helm
• Water heater
• Water pump on demand
• Water tank with gauge

Electrical

• 50 amp/240V dockside services ( 2 )
• 110V receptacles
• Anchor windlass
• Batteries, heavy duty maintenance free
• Battery chargers, ( 2 ) 80 amps total
• Bonding system
• Central vacuum system
• Circuit breakers on all circuits
• Engine room lighting
• Generator 17kw with soundshield
• Generator gauge package
• Horns, twin electric
• Isolation transformers ( 2 )
• Navigation/running lights
• Neutral safety switch for engine controls
• Polarity check system
• Remote battery master switches
• Search light twin beam
• Shore cable inlets, TV and phone
• TV antenna

Helm Station

• Alarms, audible/visual
• Anchor windlass remote control
• Bowthruster control
• Chart table
• Compass
• Electric opening side window, port and starboard
• Engine controls, electronic with synchronizer
• Engine room fire warning system
• Full engine instrumentation
• Helm seat with bolster and companion seat
• Loudhailer
• Rudder angle indicator
• Searchlight control
• Speed log
• Stylized instrument panel
• Tilt steering wheel
• Trim tab controls with indicators
• U-shaped settee with table opposite helm station
• VHF radio
• Windshield, fiberglass-framed
• Windshield wipers ( 2 ), variable speed with washers

Cockpit

• Reverse cycle air conditioning
• Access to side decks
• Bathing platform, extended with swim ladder
• Cockpit lighting
• Dockside water inlet with pressure reducing valve
• Engine room and lazarette access
• Emergency services locker, fuel shut off, manual bilge pump, fire system remote operation
• Fender storage
• Garage with electric winch for tender launched and retrieval
• Life raft storage
• Self-draining deck
• Shower, hot/cold
• Stereo speakers
• Storage lockers
• Sunpad
• Transom gate
• Tonneau cover
• U-shaped seating with table to starboard
• Upholstered seating
• Wet bar with refrigerator, sink and grill

Factory Options

Hull Color: White

Boot Stripe: Blue

General Interior/Decor:

• Wood interior, Natural Cherry
• Galley Avonite, Mojave Sand
• Master Head Avonite, Mojave Sand
• Guest Head Avonite, Mojave Sand

Layout:

• Hardtop with electric sliding roof
• Air conditioned cockpit (includes generator upgrade to 17kw

Cockpit:

• Beige Sunbrella sunpad cushions
• ( 2 ) Glendinning cablemasters
• ( 2 ) Voltage stabilizer transformers

Deck/Exterior:

• Additional anchor chair to total 164'
• Foredeck freshwater washdown
• Blue and White stripped Sunbrella Foredeck sunpad cushions

Helm Station:

• Windshield defogger

Salon:

• BOSE home theater system upgrade

Galley:

• Garbage disposal

Master Stateroom:

• AM/FM stereo/CD/DVD
• Telephone outlet
• TV, 15" LCD

Guest Stateroom:

• AM/FM stereo/CD/DVD
• TV, 15" LCD