Viking 38 Billfish

Viking’s 38 Billfish is the builder’s latest innovation in versatility, comfort, and performance.

Viking’s 38 Billfish exemplifies the builder’s evolutionary strategy to build a better boat every day. Already leaving its predecessor, the 37 Billfish, in its wake, this new model
is longer, wider and sports a refined running surface. A new hull design with foam encapsulated stringers, a raked stem, double chines and a pair of running strakes delivers performance and maximizes speed and efficiency with two 550-hp Cummins QSB 6.7 diesels.

Aimed at bluewater anglers and young families, the 38 Billfish appeals to the upward moving owner/operator as well as those looking for an easy-to-handle and maintain convertible that’s ideal for mastering inshore and offshore assignments.

Small and Mighty

Perhaps more than anything, this new Billfish model demonstrates how much boat Viking is able to build in 38 feet. There’s no mistaking the Viking DNA with its eye-pleasing, unbroken sheer, the finely proportioned deckhouse and the spacious cockpit. A full-feature convertible in a mid-size package, the boat checks every box for practicality and fun.

Underway, with full fuel and water and five people aboard, the 38 Billfish ripped to a top speed of 35 knots drinking 56 gallons per hour on my Lake Worth, Florida, test run. Throttled back to 31 knots for a swift cruise, the turbocharged, after-cooled Cummins consumed 41 gallons per hour.

At a moderate 26 knots, figure on 31 gallons per hour. With a capacity of 460 gallons, the boat has more than ample range wherever you decide to set the throttles. Pick the spot, and the 38 Billfish performs and handles with the enthusiasm of a student on the last day of school thanks to the Cummins Inboard Joystick matched to the DC bow thruster. Both acceleration and throttle response are swift with virtually no diesel exhaust.

Runs in the Family

Sharing the popular style and traits of its larger brothers, the flybridge utilizes a center console command station. Visibility throughout 32 points of the compass is excellent.
The fiberglass helm pod painted to mimic teak adds a custom touch and is augmented with single lever controls with thruster buttons and power-assisted hydraulic steering.

Viking subsidiary Atlantic Marine Electronics provided the electronics that are well-organized and stowed in the console for all-weather navigation. Additional instrumentation is mounted overhead in the fiberglass hardtop as are the 24VDC Miya
Epoch electric teaser reels favored by offshore tuna and billfish anglers, and a rocket launcher is built into the aft aluminum rail. A single Release helm seat is standard and a second seat is optional.

Lounges to port and starboard ahead of the console offer plenty of seating and room to stretch. A Costa Clear three-sided enclosure provides comfort and protection. Viking’s legacy in building tournament contenders is obvious in the many features found in the 109-square-foot cockpit starting with the molded, non-skid deck with a 29-inch reach to the waterline. It was raining on test day and the surefootedness was appreciated.

Fish on, friends

A transom livewell, port and starboard insulated fish wells measuring 46 inches by 18
inches by 16 inches and fresh and raw-water wash-down systems are standard fare. The coaming is rounded and is comfortable when leaning against it during stand-up battles with sails, mahi and cobia. A walk-through transom door with a lift gate complements a swim step.

Underneath the coaming, tricolor LED lighting illuminates the cockpit. An aluminum mounting plate is laminated in the deck to accommodate a fishing chair or rocket launcher, and flush-mounted rod holders are conveniently placed. To port is a bait freezer inside a molded console with a removable fiberglass tray to handle a day’s worth of rigged
balao and mullet, which not only keeps the baits ready but also eliminates the clutter of a portable cooler on deck.

To starboard, lifting the molded console lid reveals a sink with a freshwater spigot and a board for cutting bait or rigging while underneath, a door opens to access four tackle drawers and accessory switches, including a temperature gauge for the freezer. Cushions atop the consoles make ideal perches for keeping out of the weather, watching baits in the wake and relaxing underway or at the dock.

A spacious master suite makes the most of storage space.

Day Boat Vibes

With its traditional day-boat layout, the salon door is replaced by a Costa Clear curtain, but it opens the cockpit to the air-conditioned salon/command deck with 80 inches of
headroom and the option to install a lower helm station. For early season starts in the north or late season cruising and fishing, the lower helm station is a popular choice, especially with fishermen that go shorthanded.

The open salon design is a reminder of the style so well propagated by Palm Beach
Ryboviches and Pompano Beach Merritt boats way back when. To maximize the comfort and usefulness of the space, Viking has added a refrigerator, a U-shaped lounge and a
fiberglass hi-lo table to port that can convert to a berth and a starboard-side, 88-inch-long lounge with rod and tackle stowage below.

The command deck is especially inviting after returning to the dock and serves as a social area that makes the boat very flexible in its mission as both a capable hardcore fishing boat and family cruiser.

Peek Underneath

Electrically actuated rams lift the sole to expose each engine compartment, but a center hatch also provides access for quick daily checks. Viking’s attention to detail in the mechanical space is outstanding. The bright white Awlgrip-painted bilge lights up the area, and the slender, inline six-cylinder Cummins engines are accessible for routine maintenance and service. Racor fuel/water separators, seacocks, sea valves, and strainers are labeled and painted with white Awlgrip. Wire and plumbing runs are neat and chafe-protected.

Our test boat had a 13.5 kW Onan generator, a Seakeeper SK6 gyrostabilizer, accessible engine and house batteries in fiberglass boxes, a voltage stabilizer isolation transformer,
Dometic air conditioning, a Dolphin Pro battery charger, an oil exchanger system for draining and filling the engines, transmissions and the generator, a freshwater outlet for
keeping the machinery space clean, and a Delta-T ventilation system that provides fresh air supply and water intrusion suppression. Each diesel is equipped with a Y-valve to function as emergency bilge pumps.

‘Reel’ Living Space

Unlike big center console boats of similar length with a cuddy cabin, the 38 Billfish has actual overnight living accommodations three steps down from the salon deck. The
L-shape galley features a stainless steel sink, Corian countertop, Kenyon electric cooktop, Samsung microwave, and an Isotherm refrigerator and freezer. Teak cabinetry is abundant, and the electrical panel is eye level for ease of use. The spacious head
to port has a Dometic MSD, Corian countertop, teak vanity, and a better than full-size fiberglass shower stall with a glass door.

The master stateroom is forward with a bi-fold door for privacy, an island double berth with an innerspring mattress and stowage underneath, a pair of maple-lined hanging lockers, rod locker, TV and stereo. The air conditioning system services the lower accommodations, and the flooring throughout the area is custom Amtico vinyl. Hatches in the sole provide access to bilge pumps, shower sump, plumbing, and the like.

High Pedigree

This is the smallest Viking, but noting that even the sole hatches are framed with teak showcases its pedigree to its larger siblings.

Specifications

LOA: 38′ 8″
Beam: 14′
Draft: 3′ 4″
Displacement: 30,954 lbs.
Fuel/Water: 460/69 gal.
Cruise/Max Speed: 31/35 knots
Power: 2x Cummins QSB 6.7 @ 550-hp
Price: On request

Contact

Viking Yacht Company
(609) 296-6000
vikingyachts.com

By Peter Frederiksen, Southern Boating June 2019

Offshore World Championships

HOOK UP IN ST. LUCIA

More than $100,000 in prizes, plus entry into the world-famous Offshore World Championships in Costa Rica, are two good reasons to hook up at the St. Lucia International Billfish Tournament. Set for November 7-11 and hosted out of IGY’s
Rodney Bay Marina, it’s the waters just north of the island and south of neighboring Martinique that are hot for single- and doubleheader blue marlin bites in the fall.

Last year, 19 tournament boats from the Caribbean, U.S. and Canada released more than 50 billfish during three days of competition. “Rodney Bay Marina has great nightlife for socializing after each day of fishing,” says Sean Devaux, marina general manager. “Plus, the tournament…features some of the best anglers in the southern Caribbean.”

Charter boats are available. Captain Mike’s, run by brothers Bruce and Andrew Hackshaw, operates a fleet of 31- to 46-foot Bertrams and hold bragging rights for catching a 940-pound blue marlin in 2003, the St. Lucia record. Exodus Boat Charters and Reel Irie are two other sportfishing charters.

igy-rodneybay.com

Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating November 2017

Chub Cay

Southern Boating returns to Chub Cay in The Bahamas – the first destination published in our debut issue – to see what’s different, what’s the same and what everyone who’s been there insists must never change.

In 1972, a three-martini lunch was not only tolerated in the business world but derigeur in Madison Avenue establishments like the Jockey Club. It was the Mad Men era, and fortunes were made on Wall Street. The wealthy bought homes in the Hamptons. The uberwealthy took their yachts and airplanes to private clubs on remote islands in The Bahamas, where shutter-hungry photographers didn’t have access. One of those clubs was on Chub Cay, a 1,000-acre spit of coral rock in the southern part of the Berry Islands.

The Crown Colony Club attracted an international, affluent clientele. Socialites, industrialists, former presidents, and actors and actresses frequented the island as often as their schedules would allow, and it soon became their favorite tropical playground, though not for the reasons one would expect. Compared with the glittering lights of casinos and luxury resorts, the accommodations Chub Cay offered were quite modest. But luxury wasn’t the main attraction.

Chub Cay’s location provided convenient access to the Bahamian waters known as “The Pocket,” which are arguably the best fishing grounds in the entire Western Hemisphere,
and, perhaps, the best for billfishing anywhere in the world. The Pocket is the area in the upper northwest part of the Berry Islands where the deep Tongue of the Ocean meets the shallow waters of the islands; when the wind is from the southeast, fish are pushed into the pocket.

Fish On

Few places offer competitive anglers such an opportune area to catch trophy-sized billfish. Consequently, fishing tournaments became a huge part of Chub Cay and the Crown Colony Club. Men and women alike competed for their names to be displayed on the coveted trophies. Yet for non-anglers, the resort’s swimming pool, 3.5-mile sandy beach and crystal-clear water for snorkeling offered relaxing enjoyment at a secluded tropical hideaway few knew about, another reason Chub Cay was so favored.

The island has changed hands a half dozen times since 1972, and the current owner, George Bishop, acquired Chub Cay in 2014—when it was in bankruptcy— and briefly considered keeping the island restricted for his friends and family. He quickly realized, however, that a private island wouldn’t provide enough of a benefit to the Bahamian
employees, a testament to the character of the new owner.

Bishop’s vision for Chub Cay far surpasses simply restoring the property to its former glory, even if he has to do some of the work himself. When he’s on the island, the successful businessman from Texas can be seen behind the wheel of one of the maintenance department’s fleet of heavy equipment, smoothing a spot on the road or transplanting trees or bushes from the nursery.

The nursery also supplies fruits, vegetables, and herbs for both guests at the hotel restaurant and employees in the air-conditioned dining hall in the employee village. All employees are provided with individual private cottages painted in tropical hues.
Of the 50 or so employees on the island, at least 30 are long-standing workers, having seen both prosperous and not-so-prosperous times with the different owners, but there was something on Chub Cay that compelled them to stay. Waiters John “Remedy” Rolle, for example, came to Chub Cay in 1976 from Nassau, as did Charles Ferguson in the early 1980s.

“I don’t just like what I do; I love what I do,” says Ferguson. His first position was as a waiter for the Fly Bridge Restaurant (it no longer exists) that catered to yacht crew. In those times, the crew restaurant was in a fishing village on the opposite side of the marina, where the fish would be weighed and cleaned.

The Harbour House was the members-only restaurant and decidedly more upscale for the wealthy yacht owners. It’s refreshing to meet two gentlemen who experience such enjoyment from serving others; their smiles exude something more akin to delight. Throughout Chub Cay, it’s evident that profound job satisfaction is the prevailing attitude regardless of the position, and it’s demonstrated to guests upon arrival and throughout their stay.

Long Timers

No matter when they arrive, boat and yacht owners and crew will have the pleasure of meeting Fuel Manager and Senior Dockmaster Tito Darville, who previously attended Langston University in Oklahoma. Midway through his college program, Darville came to the realization that his studies were for a career that held little interest. He recalled that some of his fondest memories were from childhood when he spent his summers washing boats at Chub Cay.

“The first boat I washed, I found out how much money I could make doing something I liked. My mom would buy school supplies that I needed, but I wanted the [cool things that] other kids had, so that’s what I’d spend my money on,” said Darville, who at age 12 or 13 knew that he wanted to be a dockmaster.

In addition to managing three full-time employees and one who works part-time, Darville manages the marina and fuel dock, including fuel for the resort’s power plant. For guests
arriving by boat, he checks them in if they’re staying at the hotel and makes dinner reservations as well. During the busy season, Darville’s day starts at 7AM and doesn’t end until midnight, but even then, he says it doesn’t feel like a job. “I don’t see myself anywhere else,” Darville adds. “This doesn’t feel like work! I have to say that I am in love with Chub and my job, so I know that Chub will love me back.”

Returning guests have their own reasons to love Chub Cay. Issy Perera, president of Apex Marine in Miami, Florida, has been going to the island since 1999. In fact, his first trip to
The Bahamas was to Chub Cay. “It is quiet and secluded, has a beautiful beach and the fishing all around it is fabulous. I go there at least four times a year. Two of those trips are purely fishing trips, and the other two are family trips with grandkids,” says Perera. “It is special because you have nothing to do! You can escape, grab a book, read, and forget about the world at large. It is a great place to rest and recharge your batteries.”

Doug and Kay Sartoris—with boating friends of 25 years, Tom and Cindy Wintermute—returned to Chub Cay in 2017, visiting twice on their 12-day Bahamas’ cruise. They keep
their 53-foot Ferretti Sarlusso in Palm Beach, Florida, but live in Corpus Christi, Texas, and commute monthly in order to spend as much time as possible on their boat. Their first visit to Chub Cay was the summer of 2016 when the hotel was still under construction. However, the pool and marina had been completed, and the Harbour House Restaurant was still open.

By then, the new owner’s development plans were taking shape, and boaters were beginning to return to the island. Then on October 6, 2016, Hurricane Matthew unleashed
its fury on Chub Cay, which was in the direct path of the northeast part of the eye of the storm. The hotel and villas held up under the Category 4 storm, but everything else on
the island was demolished. The work that had been done to restore the resort and provided steady employment for so many was destroyed.

“It was heartbreaking after all the work we’d put in,” says Anthony Del Duca, a business associate of Bishop’s, and the construction project manager. “It was very difficult to see the devastation and even to get our psyches to think about rebuilding. But both Mr. Bishop and I said it wasn’t going to defeat us, and we got back to work, removed
and cleaned up trees and replanted.”

By any standards—let alone how projects in The Bahamas are frequently reduced to a maddeningly slow pace—the rebuild schedule was aggressive to repair damage to the hotel, villas and other buildings, and to replace trees and vegetation.
A soft opening was planned for mid-June 2017—just eight months after the hurricane—with the Grand Opening scheduled for a mere two weeks later on the July 4th holiday weekend. Their moxie paid off, and a well-managed social media campaign publicized the openings.

Their grand celebration included a “Coachella” of sorts, that they dubbed a “Chubchella.” A professional singer was brought in to sing the national anthem for the weekend guests.
Bishop’s wife insisted that a second celebration be held after the guests left for employees to enjoy their own festivities.

Yet with all the work that’s been accomplished in restoring the resort to its former—and future—grandeur, there’s still much to be done to fulfill Bishop’s vision for Chub Cay, which is what attracted Stephen Robinson to the island. Formerly at the renowned Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island since 1998, Robinson was promoted to Director of Food and Beverage at the Ocean Club, the very upscale property that caters to an elite clientele and safeguards their privacy. Now, as Club House Manager at Chub Cay, Robinson is intent on elevating Chub Cay Resort and Marina to a level that surpasses the Ocean Club.

In fact, it was the development plan and opportunity that attracted him, since his experience with bigger developments is that they require many restrictions for decision-making. “After being with a large resort like Atlantis, the smaller quaintness of Chub is like a family,” says Robinson, who enjoys the freedom to create and develop future plans.

For now, his priorities include adding an exercise center, spa and beach sports, since not everyone who goes to Chub goes fishing. Anglers, however, will appreciate that plans are in the works to re-introduce fishing tournaments beginning in Spring 2018.

Whether for anglers or cruisers, couples or families, the accommodations at Chub Cay Resort are first-class. In the hotel, 11 rooms—including a two-story Presidential Suite—offer ocean or marina views. On the reception level, oak beams on the ceiling are from century-old Texas cattle barns, while the lobby floor—complete with a compass rose—
is made of Brazilian Ipe wood.

Ten out of the 11 villas available to lease are also for sale and offer two-, three- or four-bedroom floor plans. Additionally, eight one-bedroom beachfront cabanas all come with outdoor showers for guests to rinse off sand and saltwater and then go directly into the interior shower and bathroom. Chub Cay Resort, in fact, would be an ideal location for a private, island-themed wedding.

Furthermore, 60 residential, 2-acre lots are available for building private residences—all beachfront. But if you’re concerned about sharing your semi-private island with a high-rise condo or the 18-hole golf course that the island’s previous owners planned, that’s all in the past. Bishop is committed to making the least disruption to the natural environment and estuaries, and only approximately 160 of the 1,000 acres are slated for development.

Future projects include installation of a solar energy system and upgrades to the airport and runway. The airport—which provides on-site Bahamas Customs & Immigration for clearing—was built in 1960, and plans are being made to raise the runway and add hangars.

While many developers in The Bahamas have exploited the purity of its natural resources—the land, the pristine water and fishing stocks, for example—the new owners of Chub Cay are not your typical developers. What they are doing on Chub Cay is more aptly described as rebuilding hopes (of employees), dreams (of beachfront homeowners) and memories (for guests). But ultimately, by their commitment to Chub Cay and the people
that enjoy the island, the Bishops are rebuilding lives.

chubcayresortandmarina.com

By Liz Pasch, Southern Boating September 2017; Photos

Photos: Ariel; Liz Pasch, Historical Photos; Courtesy of Chub Cay Resort, Bahamas Tourism.

Viking Yachts 37 Billfish

Now an integral part of the Viking Yachts lineup, the Viking Yachts 37 Billfish (37’8″ LOA, 13’10” beam) is built to be a canyon-ready tournament contender that’s equally at home fishing for blue marlin in The Bahamas or Pacific sailfish in Costa Rica.

The day-boat style offers unfettered access to the 86-square foot cockpit equipped with a bait freezer, tackle stowage, a transom door with a lift gate, insulated fishboxes, and a transom livewell. The open salon provides all-weather protection with a comfortable U-shape dinette and hi-lo fiberglass table that converts to a bunk opposite a cushioned lounge. At the end of the day there’s plenty of room to relax in a comfortable environment—a significant element missing from today’s wide-open, large center-console boats. vikingyachts.com

Llebroc Billfish Series Chair

Llebroc Industries introduces the Billfish series of All-Weather marine seating offered in three sizes: Standard (28”), Narrow (24”) and Wide Bench Seat (42”). All Billfish models with a flip bolster have 316 mirror-finish stainless steel flip hinges, aluminum back supports, aluminum flip-up arm rests, superior impact strength, and weather-resistant with marine-grade upholstery manufactured for a saltwater environment.
MSRP $795 for base model includes shipping.
llebroc.com

Tournament Fishing

Tournament Fishing: From Pastime To Pro

Take your hobby to the next level and battle monster fish—for monster payouts!

Some of the world’s best offshore fishing is found in Southern Boating waters—the deep Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, where monster game fish are the apex predators of the ocean and prized for their aggression, power and speed. Three major types of offshore tournaments run year-round across coastal regions—billfish, meatfish and king mackerel—and can have jackpots that range from $20,000 to $1.5 million. Billfish tournaments target blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish, while meatfish tournaments target dolphin, tuna and wahoo, and king mackerel tournaments generally only target kingfish. If you want to take your angling skills to the next level but don’t know how, these eight simple steps can turn anyone into a tournament angler.

1. Offshore boat prep

Your boat must be able to handle offshore waters—sportfish, express and center consoles are popular in tournaments due to their practical, durable fishability. Consider installing outriggers, which are extremely helpful to keep your trolling spread tangle free. Your fuel levels need to handle a distance of 120 miles round-trip plus trolling at the fishing spots.

2. Properly sized tackle and equipment

Load at least six big game reels on board (suggested size is Shimano Tiagra 50W or Penn International 50), and a few smaller trolling reels in the TLD30 size range for smaller fish. You will need a good spread of trolling lures, a couple of teasers, a few squid chains, and a variety of dead bait rigs. For first timers, trolling lures are the simplest because they don’t require a lot of experience with rigging bait, plus they are extremely effective in offshore fishing.

3. Consider a captain or mate.

During a tournament, a mate will help rig tackle, coach anglers on reeling in a fish, handle fish when you get them close to the boat, and clean up. A good mate could make the difference between getting a fish on the line or not, by picking the right lures and knowing the best areas to fish. If you go without a captain, research the inlets and waterways where the tournament takes place. Freelance mates are available on a part-time basis for tournaments; ask your dock master for a referral.

4. Location, location, location

For your first tournament, choose one near your closest port with a simple format. Some of the larger, big-money tournaments have the strictest rules and the most competitive teams (often professional teams that do a circuit of competitions each season). To get started in tournament fishing, have fun and meet people in a smaller tournament setting. Also, select a tournament where the fishing grounds aren’t too far off shore. Some Mid-Atlantic and Gulf tournaments have a range of 60+ miles to reach the fishing sites, whereas Hatteras inlet is close to the Gulf Stream at a range of 25 miles. Some Florida tournaments have shorter distances of 10-30 miles depending on the inlet.

5. Detailed preparation

The difference between a good team and a mediocre team is in the details. Professionals ensure they have sharp hooks, clean leaders free from knicks and chafes, solid snap swivels, and maintained lures before every event. Make sure your reels are in good condition and drag settings are correct. For guidance, call a tournament outfitter who can provide tips along with pre-rigged, tournament-quality trolling packs.

6. Research is key.

Visit your local tackle shops and ask what and where people have been catching big fish, and with what baits. Online charting services provide sea surface temperature, chlorophyll charts and bottom topography as aids. For a small fee, Roffs Charts, Fish Track and Frying Pan Tower will personally call you with suggested hot spots. Research is invaluable for giving you a starting edge in the right direction so that you don’t waste time once you’re in the water. Also, be familiar with one of the weather buoy websites for reliable weather info.

7. Budgeting for the tournament

Most tournament entries range from $1,500 to $5,000 per team, but don’t be shocked if the first-place cash prize is $20,000. The payout varies with the size of the tournament and the different entry levels inside the tournament, but be sure to figure in the cost of fuel, dockage, bait, lodging (if you don’t stay on your boat), food, and potentially a captain or mate.

8. Choose your team wisely.

The competition will be much smoother with a team that has some fishing experience, isn’t easily seasick, loves fishing, doesn’t get too upset if you don’t win, and is willing to split costs. These guidelines may sound simple, but they make all the difference. Tournament fishing can be hours of silence followed by immediate heart pumping chaos. Be sure everyone knows his or her job when the line gets tight—who is the angler, who clears what lines, who is handling the fish when it gets to the boat, etc., to get the job done right.

The charm of tournaments comes from the camaraderie with other sportsmen and the adrenaline when you battle a fish three times your size; however most tournaments benefit a community fundraising effort. Regardless of winning, your time on the water assists non-profit community organizations such as Boy Scouts, at-risk youth programs, cancer facilities, and community centers. The mission of most events is to promote sportfishing in their area, promote conservation in sportfishing, raise money for such charities, and promote maritime culture, heritage and education. With only a few winners in each tournament, the continuous turnout proves the fun, competitive, bonding experience of offshore fishing tournaments keeps anglers coming back year after year.

Brandon Carter is the co-founder of Fathom Offshore—a provider of professional lures, rigging supplies and accessories for offshore fishing, handmade in Wilmington, North Carolina. Fathom Offshore partners with successful tournament captains to create lure and rigging designs for everyday use, and they promote offshore tournaments in the Carolinas. Brandon has been an avid saltwater fisherman for the past 18 years primarily fishing along the East Coast. He has entered offshore tournaments and fished in Bermuda, Costa Rica, Mexico, St. Thomas, and the Dominican Republic. “I believe in promoting the outdoors to kids, creating jobs by making fishing tackle in the U.S., and using my resources to inspire and help people.” His favorite part of owning a tackle company is testing lures on a weekday and calling it work, and being able to make anglers’ tournament dreams come true with his gear.

By Brandon Carter for Southern Boating July 2014