Viking 80EB Review (2017 Edition) by Aquaholic

On Deck

The Viking  is a full-on American sportsfisher and a very good one. An 80ft Viking from 2017 with an enclosed bridge rather than an open flybridge. The shine on the finish suggests paint rather than gel coat and it looks exceptional for a boat now closing in on a decade old.

Aft, there is no bathing platform by design. This is a working fishing cockpit and nothing gets in the way. The cockpit is vast and purpose built with a large open area for fishing, live bait well set into the transom and serious deck space for tournament work. Rod holders are everywhere including eight per side in a V configuration. Outriggers sit along the sides and underline exactly what this boat is about.

Side decks are narrow and functional with rod holders running forward. Rails are minimal as is typical for the genre. This boat does have guardrails at the bow because it carries a tender up here. Tender storage sits on the centreline with crane and stainless chocks, all kept well clear of the cockpit and fishing zone. Forward there is anchor handling gear and a large traditional anchor, a Danforth, sitting right out on the stem.

There is a small exterior seating area just outside the saloon with a table, useful shade and a good place to pause without getting underfoot. Access inside is via a powered sliding door that opens and closes quickly at the touch of a button.

Above, the enclosed bridge adds another full exterior and interior hybrid space. Aft of the helm is seating, with cushions normally kept out here when weather allows. There is also an aft-facing helm position designed specifically for backing down on fish, with rod holders close by. A small ladder leads further up for maintenance access.

After the purposeful exterior, the interior feels very comfortable. This is the space where the day winds down and the stories get longer. The saloon has a relaxed social layout with seating, bar and dining area all tied together.

Along one side sits a sideboard with deep drawers and storage. A television rises electrically from the cabinetry, with another fixed screen mounted nearby. The bar sits next to the dinette and opposite the galley, making this a genuinely usable space for evenings aboard. The overall feel is glossy American sportsfisher luxury rather than European apartment styling.

The galley runs along one side and is properly equipped. There is generous refrigeration above and below the counter, cooking appliances, sink and plenty of drawer space. Views out are limited by design, but that is part of the culture of these boats rather than an oversight.

Moving forward on the lower deck, there is a day head close to the stairs. Opposite sits a deep storage room that works as a pantry or general stowage area. Further along is a long central corridor, wide and practical, with storage running along the sides.

Hull windows are deliberately absent through most of the accommodation as these kind of boats are designed to drive hard through heavy seas at speed and solid hull sides matter. Light comes from overhead hatches rather than side glazing.

There is also a dedicated utility room rather than another cabin. This space holds laundry equipment and extensive storage, with even a microwave tucked away here.

Owner's Cabin

The owner’s cabin sits right aft where the hull shape allows hull windows without compromise. These bring natural light into the space and give a view out when blinds are raised. This cabin feels like a clear step up from the others in volume and comfort.

There is a large central berth with drawers beneath, multiple wardrobes on both sides, additional storage throughout and a large television with soundbar. Finishes are high gloss wood, likely cherry, with a very American feel.

The en suite bathroom is private and well finished with proper separation and good storage. It feels like the right place to end the tour of the accommodation because it makes clear who this boat is built for.

Guest Accommodation

Forward of the owner’s cabin is a double guest cabin with its own en suite bathroom. It has wardrobe space, AV equipment and the same high gloss wood finish as the rest of the accommodation.

Further forward again is a bunk cabin, also en suite, with good storage built into the wardrobes and surrounding cabinetry. All guest cabins have their own bathrooms, which is notable on a sportsfisher of this size.

Another cabin forward of the utility and linen storage spaces could easily double as crew accommodation. There is no separate crew area, and many boats like this are owner operated, but this cabin layout would work well for that role if required.

Crew Accommodation

One of the forward cabins would typically be used by crew if the boat were not owner operated. There is ample storage, en suite facilities and practical access, so it suits that role without difficulty.

The engine room is accessed via powered doors and lifting hatches and immediately makes its point. Full standing headroom, clean finishes and clear walkaround space define the area.

Power comes from a pair of MTU V16 diesel engines producing 2,635 horsepower each. These are true V16s with sixteen cylinders per engine. The scale is hard to ignore. Each engine alone outweighs and outpowers many complete boats.

Drive is conventional shafts with gearboxes and heavy duty running gear. Shaft thickness and engineering reflect the performance demands. This setup favours strength and reliability over complexity.

Performance figures match the hardware. Top speed sits just under 40 knots, with comfortable cruising speeds above 30 knots. At those speeds, range is around 400 miles, which is serious performance for an 80ft boat.

The engine room also houses generators on either side, a watermaker, air conditioning systems and a camera system.  

Owning a sportsfisher of this size, you are committing to a serious bit of kit as an 80-footer like this Viking is built to run hard, cover distance quickly and do so day after day, but that capability brings real costs and responsibilities that are best understood up front.

Purchase price is only the entry ticket. A second-hand Viking will usually warrant a thorough survey, and even well kept boats often need early spend on servicing, updates or personal tweaks once ownership changes hands. These boats age well if maintained properly, but they do not tolerate deferred work.

Maintenance is where Viking’s reputation earns its keep. The engineering is robust, access is good and systems are laid out with logic, which helps long-term ownership. That said, MTU servicing, generator hours, air-conditioning systems and running gear all require routine attention and none of it is optional.

Running costs are significant and fairly predictable. Owners generally work on an annual budget in the region of ten to fifteen percent of the boat’s value, covering maintenance, servicing, insurance, berthing and general upkeep. On older boats, that figure can creep higher if systems begin to stack up for attention at the same time. Fuel is a major factor. These hulls are designed to cruise in the high twenties and low thirties, and consumption rises sharply with speed. Tournament use or frequent fast passages will move the needle quickly, while more relaxed cruising keeps things manageable but never cheap.

Berthing also needs careful thought. An 80ft sportsfisher needs proper marina infrastructure, and prime locations command prime fees. Availability can be as important as cost, particularly in popular sportfishing hubs.

Depreciation tends to slow once boats reach this age, particularly for strong brands like Viking, but condition, engine hours and service history make a big difference when it comes time to sell.

Others worth considering are the Viking 82C, and the Viking 80SB in its open bridge form.

A serious American sportsfisher built for speed, offshore work and tournament fishing, backed up by genuine luxury below deck. The enclosed bridge adds comfort without dulling the character. Performance is strong, engineering is honest and the layout reflects decades of sportsfisher thinking. It is a machine first and a floating retreat second, which is precisely the point.