Although the Viking Yacht Company is the world's leader in building luxurious convertible sportfishing yachts, looking back as we approach our 50th Anniversary on April 1, 2014 also reminds us of our motor yacht accomplishments like this 37 foot double-cabin motor yacht from the mid 1960s.

By the end of the 1960s, we had ramped up the design with a more modern yet traditional profile showcasing the skills and talents of our wooden shipwrights.

Following Bill Healey's lead to build a better boat every day, the shift from wood to fiberglass construction and bigger engines resulted in many of our motor yachts leaping ahead of the competition. Viking motor yacht owners enjoyed being pampered with the speed of our convertibles and posh cruising amenities. The result was a motor yacht with a weekend cruising schedule that pleased the entire family. This Viking 44 Motor Yacht was among our most popular entries and was in production throughout the 1980s through 1990.

In late 1992, Viking launched the 54 Sports Yacht, which updated the look of the past aft-cabin motor yachts by several notches and then added a high-performance propulsion package with big engines, tuned gearboxes and S-class propellers, which enabled the boat to turn in top speeds in the mid 30 knot range. Shortly thereafter, Viking designed a cockpit for the 54 Sports Yacht, adding six feet to its length, which impressed the editors of Boating to name the 60 Cockpit Sports Yacht the magazine's 1995 Boat of the Year.

Waiting in the wings for its turn in the spotlight, Viking's new 75 Motor Yacht launches this fall.