The evolution of the Viking 90 is an excellent example of how Viking overcomes challenges to continue building a better boat every day. The Viking 92 was a tremendous success, proving that a sportfishing yacht of its size could win consistently on the tournament trail. Viking delivered 21 boats in less than seven years, with owners enjoying the luxury and style of a mega yacht and the sportfishing DNA that only Viking could deliver.

Viking would have continued production of the 92 but not for an international mandate requiring the installation in the 92 of a heavy, bulky and potentially dangerous exhaust-treatment technology called Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). The SCR systems in the 92 would have increased purchase and operating costs of the boat; added significant weight; reduced performance; hindered accessibility for service; compromised safety; and required additional ventilation and onboard tankage. The technology to scale down SCR to a level where it could be effectively engineered for installation in the 92 simply did not exist yet. Viking fought hard for an extension of an exemption that would give engine manufacturers more time to develop the appropriate SCR systems for this size and class of yacht.

But without enough international support for an extension of the exemption, the mandate went into effect. The U.S. Coast Guard, understanding that suitable engine and SCR technology was unavailable, announced in early 2021 a three-year suspension of the regulations in North America. “By that time, our design and engineering department was well underway with the development of the 90,” says President and CEO Pat Healey. “We were not going to be forced into installing SCR. With the new 90, we invested $20 million to develop a new flagship sportfishing yacht that does not require SCR. It was a costly decision but one that had to be made because it’s the best product for our owners.”