Valhalla 46

In this week’s V Report, we take a look at the recently delivered TEAMWORK, a striking Kingston Grey Valhalla 46 with triple Mercury 600-hp Verados owned by Jeff and Carol Riling. The boat is impressive, no doubt, and the story behind this Valhalla deserves attention too.

When Jeff and Carol toured the Viking manufacturing plant for the first time in 1989 with Co-founder Bill Healey, never in their wildest dreams did they think they would one day own a Viking-built boat. “Bill treated everyone the same – it didn’t matter what walk of life you came from,” says Jeff, whose brother Jay worked at Viking in the Service Department for decades. “I was an automotive technician at the time, so this is truly a dream come true.” Above, from left to right: the Rilings’ son, Jeff Jr., Carol, Viking Southeast Sales Manager Ryan Higgins and Jeff.

Jeff will use the Valhalla in New Jersey in the summer and in Stuart, Florida, in the winter for family fishing and cruising. He and Carol have three children and four grandchildren (ages 1 through 8).

“The boat is extremely well-thought-out,” says Jeff. “From a safety standpoint, I like the flush, single-level deck; the freeboard is at the perfect height; and the forward seating still allows easy access to the anchor locker.”

The family loves all of the different options for seating, and the grandkids are especially fond of the cabin. Left: Carol with grandson Casey soaking up some rays. Right: Emmy (left) and Riley (right) chilling out in the cabin.

“The visibility from the helm is awesome,” says Jeff. “I’m a bit vertically challenged and yet when you’re coming up on plane you never lose sight of the horizon.”

“Everyone on the Valhalla Boatworks team made sure that the build process was very smooth,” says Jeff. “We enjoyed tracking the build and must have visited Viking Mullica a dozen times. The Valhalla team gives you the freedom to make it your boat, but they also give you valuable guidance along the way.” 

Two of the Rilings’ personal requests made good by VBW: Left: They turned the second row of helm chairs into bench-like seating so the children could sprawl out, as Lindsey demonstrates. Right: The aft portion of the V-berth’s port side was modified to hold a backrest that faces the HDTV.

“They've taken all the things that they've learned on the Viking side and incorporated them into a center console,” adds Jeff. “We couldn’t be happier.”

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