BackThe Billfish line from Viking has taken the industry by storm as anglers and boat owners alike have yearned for a sportfishing boat with the classic look of the 38 Billfish fly bridge model as well as the simple day-boat features offered by the 38 Open Billfish. The new 46 Billfish provides the next step for current Billfish owners or those looking for a vessel with classic lines and features that laid the foundation for offshore fishing yet are still popular today. Whether seeing duty as an owner/operator or captained Viking, she’s a ready-to-go fishing machine equipped for inshore and offshore adventures and is equally at home cruising to your favorite island or marina or anchored up in a secluded cove.
The 140-square-foot cockpit has room for the entire crew or family and a laminated in-deck mounting plate can accommodate a fighting chair/rocket launcher or cocktail table installation. Standard equipment and features include a cockpit bait freezer with upper tray while in-deck insulated fish boxes to port and starboard with overboard drainage offer plenty of room to store the day’s catch. A walk-through transom door and lift gate makes boating large gamefish a snap. A transom fish box and live well, rod holders, tackle storage and fresh and sea-water wash downs are also standard. Take in all the action nearby thanks to mezzanine-style seating split by walkthrough access to the command deck. There’s also a refrigerated drink box in the starboard mezzanine step and plenty of additional stowage throughout. The 46 Billfish’s command deck can be completely enclosed and climate-controlled to provide an ideal atmosphere for crew and guests to get off their feet and cool down. This salon-like living area with a spacious U-shaped lounge and hi-lo table and a lounge that extends along the starboard side keeps you close to the action. There’s also plenty of rod storage under seating in the command deck.
Similar to their legendary Viking convertibles, the 46 Billfish’s flybridge is designed with a tournament-style center console walk-around helm and offers excellent visibility fore and aft. A Palm Beach helm pod is accented by a single Release Marine teak helm chair with a second chair available as an option. Additional seating is provided by lounges to port and starboard and a seat forward of the console. Atlantic Marine Electronics, a Viking subsidiary, can build and install a complete package of navigation and communication equipment.
The 46 Billfish’s air-conditioned cabin features high-gloss teak cabinetry and custom Amtico flooring throughout. A fully appointed galley is to starboard and has an L-shaped Corian countertop, two-burner electric stove, microwave/convection oven, cabinet storage and under-counter drawer-style refrigeration with a built-in ice maker. There’s a private head located immediately to port of the companionway stairs that features a large walk-in shower, satin nickel fixtures, Corian-topped vanity with sink and storage and a medicine cabinet with mirrored doors. Upper and lower bunks to port and a hanging locker are only a few steps away. The private forward stateroom features an island queen bed, hanging locker, upper storage cabinetry and flat-screen TV with stereo, speakers and DVD player.
The 46 Billfish is designed and built with many of the same mechanical systems, components and technologies found on larger Vikings including the Delta-T engine room ventilation system and a fire suppression system that’s automatically or manually operated and tied into the main engine and generator ignitions. Running gear includes Class “S” pitch tolerance propellers with dynamic balancing and bronze struts, seacocks and rudders. The engine room, lazarette and forward bilges are all painted with Snow White Awlgrip for increased visibility and ease of maintenance. A large centerline hatch provides quick access to the engines and optional Seakeeper SK 6 gyro. Twin Cummins QSM11 715MHP diesels provide the standard power for the 46 Billfish, while twin MAN I6-800 CRM 800MHP are optional.