GENERATIONS

摘要

When it launched in 1991, the Viking Yachts 58 Convertible was the New Jersey builder's largest model to date. From 1991 to 2000, Viking built and sold 110 of the 58-footers, dubbed Gen I. That's a tough act to follow. But Viking is once again aiming for star status, having just raised the curtain on its second-generation 58 Convertible, ¶ The new 58C has a 17-foot-9-inch beam, which is the same width as the builder's 55 -footer, but with a different length-to-beam ratio for en-hancedperformance. The new hull form also repositions and changes the angle of strakes so water will break behind the house windshield, for a soft, dry and efficient ride, ¶ For big-game battles, the 58C's cockpit has 165 square feet of teak-covered, fish-fighting space. There's also a transom livewell, a laminated in-deck backing plate for a fighting chair or a rocket launcher, an in-deck fish box and live-well, and a gaff/mop locker. The teak rocket launcher on Hull No. 1 of the 58C has 11 rod holders, two cup holders and a bait-prep area. Crew can watch trolled baits from the mezzanine seating. A Sea-keeper SK9 gyrostabilizer is mounted under the cockpit sole, ¶ For post-battle rest and relaxation, the salon has an L-shaped settee to port with rod stowage underneath. Just forward is the galley, with two stools for breakfast before the lines hit the salt. The U-shaped galley has four Sub-Zero fridge/freezer(withice maker) drawers, a four-burner Miele electric cooktop, a Sharp microwave/convection oven, a stainless-steel sink with a satin-nickel faucet, and cabinets above and below the countertops. A dinette is across from the galley, and a C-shaped settee for six flanks a high-gloss burl pedestal table, ¶ Interior bulkheads and cabinetry are finished in high-gloss teak (walnut is optional), with a mappa-burl cocktail table, an Amtico sole at the salon entrance and galley, padded carpeting, and a Majilite headliner. There is also a Bose home-theater system with a retractable 50-inch flat-screen TV. While in the salon and galley, anglers can keep eyes on the lines through the aft window. ¶ Withathree-stateroom, two-head layout, the Viking 58C has room for the tournament crew or the family. The master is amidships to port and has a walkaround queen berth set athwartships with stowage below. Two closets are here, and headroom is 6 feet, 7 inches. The shower stall has 6 feet, 10 inches of headroom, ¶ The forepeakVIPhasacenterline walkaround queenberth (split upper-lower crossovers are optional), a maple-lined locker, and an overhead hatch for fresh air and natural light. A starboard guest stateroom abaft the VIP has side-by-side berths, with one tucked under the companionway staircase. The two guest heads have Am-tico soles, Dometic electric toilets, faux-stone countertops and separate shower stalls. Access to the bow thruster and tube is via a sole hatch in the VIP stateroom. Other hatches allow owner-operator access to a lower machinery space that's fitted with plumbing, wire runs and pumps. ¶ To add to the interior living space, Viking pulled some space out of the engine room, which can be accessed via a door in the mezzanine seating. Headroom measures 5 feet, 10 inches, and there's space to work around the twin 1,600hp MTU diesels. The air conditioning units and 700-gallon-per-day wa-termaker fiters are a cozier fit, and a 21.5-kW Onan generator is mounted abaft the engines, on a platform over the portside drive shaft. Viking finishes the 58C's engine room like a laboratory, in bright white Awlgrip for spotting spills, ¶ From fishability to fit and finish, Viking's second-generation 58 Convertible has the feet to fill the big shoes thatthe first-generation model left behind. Star status may, indeed, be on the horizon.