Six decades of continuous family ownership have not diminished Viking Yacht Company’s drive to improve their boats every day. That dedication is clear in the new Viking 50 Convertible. Although the convertible line extends up to 90 feet, the 50C is the smallest model in that range and a strong demonstration of Viking’s expertise in creating bluewater-capable sportfishing and cruising yachts. Equally at home in offshore tournaments or on relaxed cruises with family and friends, the Viking 50 Convertible balances fishing capability with comfortable owner-operator cruising amenities.
Measuring 51 feet, 8 inches overall with a 17-foot, 1-inch beam, the Viking 50C feels like a larger vessel on deck. The self-draining cockpit provides 131 square feet of usable fishing and social space, featuring a molded non-slip fiberglass sole, insulated fish wells, dedicated rod holders and tackle stowage. Practical systems include fresh- and raw-water washdowns, a transom fishbox and livewell, and refrigerated drink storage. A large lazarette hatch gives direct access to the steering, drain and bilge pumps, as well as the Seakeeper gyrostabilizer. The cockpit configuration also incorporates stereo speakers, freezer stowage, a transom door, a lift gate for easy boarding from the water or dock, and straightforward engine room access. A dockside water connection in a cabinet under the starboard gunwale adds convenience when preparing for a trip.
The climate-controlled salon is entered through a sliding fiberglass door and provides a quiet, comfortable environment underway, at the dock or at anchor. Heating and cooling are distributed through hidden registers located behind the window valances to reduce noise and drafts.
Interior appointments include a deckhouse home theater with a 40-inch flat-screen TV and an L-shaped lounge opposite a high-gloss hi-lo cocktail table near the AC/DC electrical panel. The raised starboard dinette seats four and incorporates concealed rod stowage. The peninsula-style galley features engineered stone countertops and thoughtfully arranged appliances—electric cooktop, microwave/convection oven, deep-drawer refrigerator and freezer, icemaker, and a stainless-steel sink with garbage disposal—making meal preparation simple while cruising. Satin-finished walnut joinery throughout the salon and galley provides rich, durable finish and abundant storage. An electrical subpanel manages galley appliances and accessories.
Sleeping accommodations consist of three staterooms and two heads, each fitted with fiberglass shower stalls for privacy and easy maintenance. The spacious master stateroom features a walkaround queen bed with an innerspring mattress, end tables and a flat-screen TV. A forward VIP stateroom offers a queen berth, while the starboard guest stateroom provides upper and lower berths; an alternate arrangement converts the forward berths to a crossover layout. Both guest staterooms share the starboard-side head. For added convenience when cruising, a washer and dryer are located in the companionway.
Viking’s workmanship is evident in the engine room, finished in Awlgrip Snow White. Instrumentation at the entrance provides clear monitoring of digital tachometers, oil pressure and coolant temperatures—readings visible from the cockpit. The engine room offers 5 feet, 2 inches of headroom at the entrance, tapering slightly forward, and allows reasonable access outboard of each engine. The test boat included a Furuno Omni sonar tube between the engines, which narrowed the passage at that point, but access beyond that was manageable. The aft bulkhead contains battery chargers and Dometic cockpit-freezer equipment, with additional Dometic air-conditioning components forward of the starboard engine. Raw-water strainers are clearly labeled for routine checks. Oil-change pump lines for the engines, transmissions and the Onan 21.5-kW generator run to the cockpit entrance to simplify maintenance. Dual Racor filters protect the 1,200-hp MAN V-8 diesels, and a voltage stabilizer isolation transformer helps ensure stable, clean dockside power management.
The flybridge layout centers on a pair of pedestal helm seats with clear walkways behind each seat and an overhang that shelters the cockpit mezzanine below. Visibility from the helm is excellent. Controls include single-lever throttles, electronic trolling valves, Optimus electric steering and a Sleipner bow thruster for docking. Instrumentation is mounted on a raised pod and in our test boat accommodated dual Garmin 22-inch touchscreen multifunction displays. Side consoles house VHF radios and accessory switches, with grabrails positioned for safe movement. Comfortable forward and side lounges make the flybridge a pleasant place to cruise or troll.
This third-generation Viking 50 employs a new hull designed with computational fluid dynamics for improved performance. On test off Atlantic City, New Jersey, the 50C approached a top speed just under 40 knots with full fuel and water aboard. The MAN diesels ran quietly, and hull flow at high speed helped mask machinery noise so normal conversation at the helm remained comfortable. At 1,800 rpm the boat averaged just under 28 knots while burning 80 gallons per hour for roughly 402 nautical miles range; at 1,900 rpm it achieved 30 knots with fuel consumption around 90.5 gph for an estimated 381 nautical miles of range.
Responsive and quick, the Viking 50 Convertible delivers the blend of fishing capability, cruising comfort and build quality buyers expect from Viking. With turnkey options available through Viking’s affiliated companies, including electronics and tower specialists, owners can take delivery ready to run.
- LOA: 51’8”
- Beam: 17’1”
- Draft: 4’10”
- Displ.: 66,631 lbs.
- Fuel: 1,000/1,211 gals.
- Water: 180 gals.
This article was originally published in the July 2026 issue.