WRITTEN BY: Rob Bowman
Mar 13, 2019 
Since the news first broke about the new Viking 38 Billfish the anticipation of seeing the professional photos has been building. The team from SI Yachts was lucky enough to test Viking's latest model at the recent Viking VIP Event in February and then again shortly after at the Miami Yacht Show. For those of you that were unable to make it to either event, Viking has released the photography shot by the talented Forest Johnson.
SI Yachts is expecting a Viking 38 Billfish to arrive in Staten Island in early Summer which is also currently available for sale.
With the success of the 37 Billfish, Viking couldn't stray far from the same design and functionality. The biggest difference between the two models aside from one being a foot longer, is the size of the cockpit. The cockpit on the new 38 Billfish is 109-square feet which is 23 square feet larger than the its predecessor's. This provides for plenty of room for a fighting chair or rocket launcher. No one designs a better cockpit space than Viking Yachts.
Insulated fishboxes and coolers are placed flush in the deck on both port and starboard sides. The new 38 Billfish is definitely built for the hardcore angler that wants to run his or her own boat without a captain. Below you can see the tuna door. A Seakeeper Gyro can also be installed at the factory as an option.
Even the 38 Billfish has Viking's classic mezzanine seating with ultra-leather to watch the action in comfort. Seen below are tackle storage drawers hidden beneath the seat.
There is a ladder placed starboard side of the cockpit that leads to the bridge and helm station. There entire flybridge is protected by a Costa Clear enclosure that wraps all three sides. Viking's subsidiary, Palm Beach Towers, can customize a tower for your 38 Billfish. The helm is centerline on the bridge and features power-assisted hydraulic steering. Atlantic Marine Electronics, Viking's other subsidiary company, can install your full electronics package before delivery.
The salon on the 38 Billfish is accessible through a passageway between the cockpit mezzanine seating. This area can be opened up for communication between the captain, the angler in the fighting chair, and any crew in the cockpit. A pedastal-dinette table is starboard and has u-shaped leather seating, perfect for sitting down to dinner or a cocktail. There is a small fridge door beneath the u-shaped couch for easy drink storage. The pedastal table can be lowered and converted to an extra bed.
The portside couch in the salon of the 38 Billfish has hidden rod storage as well.
Accessed through a door in the salon and a few steps down is the galley of the 38 Billfish. As with all Vikings, the high-quality, high-glossed teak joinery and Amtico flooring are immediately apparent upon entering the L-shaped galley. It is equipped with a Corian countertop, a two-burner electric stove, a microwave/convection oven, refrigerator/freezer drawers, a built-in ice maker, and plenty of storage for dry goods.
The forward stateroom of 38 Billfish is comfortable, spacious, and has extra storage - the three most important things when it comes to a cabin on a under40-foot sportfish. The interior accommodations are a feature that many large center-console owners look for when moving up to a sportfishing vessel. The private master stateroom on the 38 billfish features either an island queen-sized bed or can be replaced with cross-over bunks. There are several spaces for storage including a pair of hanging lockers and even an additional portside rod locker. The private head is located in the companionway and features a walk-in shower with satin nickel fixtures.
The Viking 38 Billfish is even equipped with many of the same mechanical systems and components as the larger models which helps with maintenance and service. The engine choice on the 38 are twin Cummins QSB6.7 diesels rated at 550HP. The engine room is easily accessible and surprisingly spacious for a sportfish of this size. Owners can expect to cruise around 30-31 knots with a top speed of 35 knots.
For more photos from the recent photo shoot, visit our model page for the Viking 38 Billfish. If you would like to receive more information about model availability, please give us a call at (718) 984-7676.
Other Viking articles of interest:
Viking 72 Convertible: Battle Tested & Approved
Viking Yachts Breaks Into Center-Console Market With Valhalla Boatworks
