Introduced in early 2018, the Viking 44 Convertible is Viking’s answer to customers’ demands for a versatile fishing trawler with the feel of a yacht.
The 44C shares the same profile as the rest of Viking’s yachts, making it instantly recognizable as a serious contender among the countless sportfishing boats on the water. Its generously flared bow, raked gunwales, and deep-V hull propel it through waves with ease and make it eminently maneuverable, a plus when navigating around a prize catch as well as into and out of a slip. With its twin Volvo D13 engines, the 44C can easily reach a top speed of 38 knots, and its cruising speed averages 33 knots.
The 44C’s engine room, conveniently located, is easily accessed via a hatch in the cockpit. White surfaces and strategically placed lighting make this space bright, so it’s easy to see what’s what.
Generous seating populates the flybridge. Guests can surround the pilot without impeding his view of the horizon or the catch of the day. The helm is host to a plethora of electronic goodies, including a Lenco trim tab display, two Icom M506 VHF radios, three Garmin multifunction displays, and a Furuno RD-33 depth/temperature display. Some of the electronics are hidden behind panels in the helm to protect them from prying eyes when the 44C is in port. This bit of practicality also keeps the area clean and uncluttered.
Within the flybridge’s fiberglass hardtop is a drop-down console that displays the engine’s monitors. The Costa Clear Bimini curtains keep everyone dry and protected from the elements while cruising. Optional equipment on the 44C includes a bow thruster, a bow pulpit, a Seakeeper 6 anti-roll system, Rupp outriggers, additional rod holders, a freezer in the cockpit seat, and a refrigerated step box in the cockpit.
The multi-level salon gives the illusion of being more spacious than an average 44-footer. Two separate seating areas with tables can accommodate several guests for drinks or meals. The large windows along the hull flood the space with natural light, making it appear even more commodious. Two barstools sidle up to the counter separating the salon from the step-down galley, which is visible from the seating areas but tucked away enough so that it doesn’t impede the flow of conversation and conviviality in the salon.
Two more steps down lead to the staterooms and baths. The whole interior of the 44C is awash in glossy teak walls and cabinets, imbuing the entire salon, galley, staterooms, and baths with a warm, luxurious, natural ambiance.
This sportfish is the perfect size for a first-time owner—not too big or too small—the 44C offers a feature-filled deckhouse and a deceptively expansive salon with luxurious finishing touches to keep anglers and their friends and family members cruising in comfort.
