NEW BOATS - Viking pods
Following close in the wake created by Volvo Penta and its IPS drives, the Zeus MerCruiser/Cummins contribution to new propulsion systems has also been showing up in all the right places.
Viking Yachts' recent 2011 dealer meeting attracted principals from its domestic dealerships and international representatives from as far away as, yes, even Australia, to premiere the Viking 66 Convertible. After the business meetings, the dealers hopped aboard the new boat for sea trials, where they experienced the yacht's 40-plus-knot speed.
Dealers also were able to drive a new Viking 70 Convertible, a Viking 42 Open with Cummins MerCruiser diesels matched to Zeus pod drives, and a Viking 50 Convertible with Caterpillar power and ZF's 4000 Series pod-drive propulsion system. — Capt Ken Kreisler
Image: The new pod-driven Viking 66 Convertible can rocket to more than 40kts.