Viking 74C Review (2024 Edition)

The Viking 74 Convertible is the successor to the iconic Viking 72, and she's a step forward in many areas but a key one is performance. With the 74, the goal was clear: maintain the high speeds while introducing innovative design enhancements. Viking's design team, with over 25 years of collaboration, has truly outdone itself - and it was hard to outdo the 72.

The team aimed to gain efficiency by studying performance elements such as the longitudinal centre of gravity, hull resistance, and trim angle using computational fluid dynamics. The 74's strakes and chines are particularly aggressive, to increase spray deflection and lift. 

Adding to the hull design improvements, the Advanced Viking Propulsion System is available, using struts and rudders with "twisted" shapes that minimise water resistance, also enhancing performance. 

Its hull is built using advanced materials like blister-resistant vinylester resin, carbon fibre, and hybrid fibreglass laminates, the aim being to maintain strength but minimise weight as much as possible. 

Inside, the yacht boasts a high-gloss walnut finish throughout, exuding elegance and warmth. The salon floor and engine room ceiling are moulded with fibreglass and foam core, to deal with any sound/heat coming from down below.  

Mechanically, the Viking 74C is outfitted with an 8-tonne chilled water air conditioning system, ensuring every room on board stays comfortable, no matter the weather. Each stateroom and the saloon has its own temperature control for personalised comfort. The engine room features a state-of-the-art ventilation system that keeps fresh air circulating while preventing water intrusion. The 74 has independent, maintenance-free battery banks charged by two 29kW Onan generators, and there's a touch-screen control system for monitoring and managing all electrical functions.

Optional Features

As standard, the Viking 74C comes with an open flybridge but there is the option to have an enclosed flybridge. This enclosed space is air-conditioned and includes a wrap-around helm console with ultra-leather surfaces to reduce glare. There's a raised L-shaped lounge for guests, a Stidd adjustable helm chair, and a refrigerator. The enclosed flybridge option can also have a flat-screen TV, a stereo system, and access to the hardtop via a hatch and ladder.

Another optional feature is the day head, located just inside the salon cockpit entrance on the port side. This convenient bathroom includes air conditioning, custom flooring, and a stylish granite countertop with a stainless steel sink.

You also have the option to personalise the interior with one of six pre-designed interior packages.  All feature woods that were chosen with weight-saving in mind, and they also offer a selection of designer fabrics, carpets, and finishes.

If the rating above seems harsh then it's important to have some perspective. For a sportfisher, the 74's interior is beautifully built and fitted with just the sort of accommodation one would expect of a boat of this style. Compare it to a traditional flybridge or sportscruiser, though, and the cabin spaces feel somewhat compromised.

The saloon of the 74 is all in a glossy walnut; a world away from the hustle of the fish-fighting cockpit. There's a day head right by the entrance, perfect for a quick rinse after a dip or a fishing session, without tracking through the whole boat - but it is a cost option. There's also a screen by the door, for access to the digital switching system.

On the starboard side, a comfortable seating area opposite a pop-up TV makes the space feel like a home. The layout certainly supports this idea. The woodwork quality has lots of options including gloss or satin walnut. The grain-matched detailing is gorgeous, especially in the galley. 

Forward, under the dinette, there is some rod storage slotted in. This large drawer opens smoothly, with clips to secure rods in place, keeping them neatly stowed and conveniently close to the cockpit. The internal dinette isn’t enormous but accommodates four adults comfortably and there are bar stools at the galley to create an informal breakfast bar. 

Galley

The galley is a proper sea-going one on the 74, and it comes in two arrangements. You can have the almost enclosed version, or there's an island version, which allows for a more open vibe, like a kitchen you'd find at home, though it does sacrifice a bit of seating.

All the Sub-Zero fridge drawers are wood-fronted & grain-matched, with the option to use them as fridges or freezers. The handles are gorgeous in satin, avoiding the usual unsightly metal clips. You still have the lovely big drawer underneath for extra storage.

The galley has even more integrated appliances, including a microwave hidden behind covers, an induction hob, and a sink. The saloon is well-lit, too. The 72 was a bit gloomy inside but now the combination of spotlights and strip lights that run fore and aft has brightened the area nicely. 

Forward of the galley, behind the "windscreen" that's such a distinctive part of the boat's exterior design, there is a utility/tech space. It's big though, big enough in fact to have an extra berth fitted for the occasional overnight guest. It does lack ventilation and natural light, however. 

Owner's Cabin

On the starboard side, the owner's cabin has a very inviting atmosphere. While it's not full beam due to the passageway, the space is lovely. The floor is flat and the headroom exceeds 6ft (1.8m) - a good combination. There are big cupboards on either side and an ottoman bed for storage. Perfect for long excursions, there's plenty of room for all your kit. A 65in television is on the wall and there's a little bureau on one side.

The bathroom is a bit tight but has some design tricks like a mirrored ceiling, to give the illusion of greater height. There's room for a nearly separate shower cubicle as well.

Guest Accommodation

The standard layout has four guest cabins, each with its own bathroom. If you're keen to maximise sleeping space, you can stretch this to five cabins.

While natural light is a bit of a rarity in these interiors, the VIP cabin has an escape hatch overhead that doubles as a window when the weather's good. Of course, with air conditioning throughout, natural ventilation is more of a bonus than a necessity. The VIP cabin has a queen-size berth with storage underneath, though you can opt for bunks if required. Eye-level lockers and tall side lockers provide plenty of storage, with shelves for your gadgets.

There's a bunked guest cabin on the starboard side, it’s suited for kids really but there's enough room for adults too. The separate bathroom has a large shower cubicle and mirrored ceiling, just like the master.

Tackle Room

This space, on the port side of the lower deck, really shows off the essence of this boat. Here, all your fishing gear remains safe, neat, tidy, and clean, all in an air-conditioned environment.

Shelves and compartments line the walls, providing storage for large reels for big game like tuna or marlin. On the other side, you'll find provisions for game fishing for species like king mackerel and dorado. Auto reels simplify loading your lines, while two generous storage drawers accommodate other tackle and equipment.

This room is the option for a fifth cabin - but for avid anglers, the tackle room is the way to go.

Crew Accommodation

Many owners will helm the boat themselves, but if you prefer a captain or guide, this space is perfectly adequate. It doesn't feel like a typical crew cabin; it's directly off the guest accommodation, and the fit and finish here are identical to the other cabins, with bunks matching the size of those in the guest quarters.

You've got a nice big wardrobe unit, offering even more storage than you might expect. It has a private bathroom, so it's a genuinely useful extra guest cabin or crew quarters. The crew will appreciate the convenience as it also connects directly to the engine room. 

The flybridge helm is on an elevated platform and sits 7in higher than the previous model giving it a great forward view and brilliant oversight of the fish fighting taking place in the cockpit. You're positioned right in the middle of the boat, high above the deck, with a stunning helm console finished in varnished teak and a polished stainless steel wheel. It's a helm arrangement like no other.

Something not seen often is throttles on either side of the console. This layout gives precise, intuitive control, so you're not fiddling with side-by-side throttles. When pushed to its limits, the boat achieves stonking performance for something this size, hitting 45 knots and cruising at 37 knots with a range of 500nm.

The dash is clean and free from distractions, important given the types of conditions you could be facing in this thing. The skipper needs to be laser-focussed when there's a catch on the lines. Hidden flaps on either side pop up to reveal comms and control screens, providing navigators equal access. Three MFDs sit centre stage, and on them, you get sonar, navigation, and camera views, all fully configurable.

Above your eye line, Garmin screens offer depth and speed checks at a glance and disappear into the coaming when not needed. For the serious fisher, the omnidirectional sonar is a cost option but worth it. It drops 14 inches (35cm) beneath the hull and will scan the waters for reefs, bait, or big game.

Overhead, the hardtop houses controls for teaser reels, mounted to the outriggers. You can deploy these, retract, and adjust them at a button press, all while keeping an eye on cockpit activities and the surroundings. 

Again, by normal standards, the living space on deck is pretty limited for a boat of this size. But then, this is no normal boat.

The cockpit on the 74 is 10in (25cm) longer than the 72, and it's a space dedicated to the art of hauling in a catch. The star of the show is undoubtedly the Release Marine fighting chair. Not only is it a work of art, but it’s also incredibly functional for fish-fighting. It's hard to believe that something so beautiful is likely to get smothered in fish guts at some point. You can opt for an open space or even a table here, though, for many, the chair is the main focus of this type of boat. 

Forward of the chair, you find a 122-gallon (555-litre) bait well, which can double as storage. This is very deep and it sits neatly in the transom, lined and drained. Beneath the deck, there are two deep fish boxes on either side to stow the catch and a long locker built into the cockpit sides, perfect for stowing rods and cleaning gear.

Suffice it to say, you're not short of kit to aid your fishing adventures. There are rod holders dotted all over the place, from the gorgeous teak bulwarks to the tuna tower and the fighting chair. In what Viking refers to as the mezzanine, there is an ice box fed directly from the engine room, tackle drawers, freezer trays, and two deep boxes that can be used for cooling or storage.

There is also engine room access from this area, meaning you don't need to head into the interior for quick checks on the machinery. The mezzanine itself serves as an observation deck, ideal for watching the action in the cockpit. With air-conditioned blowers and cup holders, it’s a great place to enjoy watching the fishing. There is also an operations screen for navigation and sonar display information.

Crucially for any sportsfisher, the 74 has a Seakeeper stabiliser system, with options for a Seakeeper 26 or 40. The chair swings aside, and the hatch can lift for access to the Seakeeper, which can be replaced in just four hours if necessary. Positioned away from the accommodation, this setup ensures minimal noise and maximum accessibility. Viking's sensible approach to engineering is on show throughout this boat. 

Flybridge

The flybridge is more than the 74's upper helm station; it's also a living space lined with seating. The newly added backrests allow you to sit facing aft or forward; it's a lovely perch as you charge along the waves. Integrated beneath these seats, you'll find another huge freezer, offering plentiful cooling space for all your needs whether you're storing food for humans or fish. 

The flybridge can be made into a fully enclosed sky lounge on the Enclosed Bridge version. This extends the interior space, with an enclosed helm and an aft saloon seating area. 

Let’s not forget the tuna tower, accessible via ladders leading to the very top. From there, you can spot from an elevated vantage point or even drive the boat, and you'll feel the benefit of the stability provided by the fitted Seakeeper. 

Side Decks & Foredeck

The foredeck and side deck often don't get much attention on this type of boat, but there's more going on here than you might initially think. The side decks feel a bit precarious. They're quite narrow with toe rails that aren't particularly high. However, you do have a rail running the length of the deck, along with the outrigger, providing something to hold onto. Out at sea, it could feel a bit nerve-wracking, but in the marina, it's perfectly fine.

If you're inclined to fish off the bow, you can install railings on the foredeck and if a tender is needed, the foredeck can have chocks installed and a crane to launch and recover it. 

The engine room can be reached via the mezzanine from the cockpit or through the crew cabin. At 6ft (1.8m) tall, I could just about stand upright, as there is a lowered floor level between the engines. This space is sparkling, finished in snow-white Awlgrip paint, which will make it incredibly easy to spot any leaks or inconsistencies. It looks lovely too.

The space houses massive MTU engines - the biggest you can fit - offering storming performance with seven engine options ranging from a combined 3,100 to 5,200hp. The engines, despite their size, are easy to inspect, with lots of space to access either side, along with a pair of 29kW generators.

There's also an option for a clear line system that runs chlorinated water through the plumbing, preventing algae growth inside the pipes. Viking has focussed on engineering - designed to be rock solid for offshore voyages in heavy weather, so it needs to be reliable and easy to maintain for long periods at sea.