If you are in the market for a game boat, Viking Yachts set the bar pretty high when it comes to semi-custom production sport fishers. It is a company that has been building some of the best fibreglass game boats since 1968 and it has close to 4,000 boats to its name. Among those are the Viking 38 Billfish and the Viking 38 Open Billfish.

These two production yachts have taken aim at not only the flybridge crowd but also the express lovers.

To decide which is right for you, let’s take a look at these two beauties.

Viking 38 Billfish

The Viking 38 Billfish is a turn-key ready-to-go fishing machine. Coming in at an overall length of 38 ft. 8 in. (11.79 m), a gross weight of 30,953 lbs. (14,040 kg), a beam of 14 ft. (4.27 m), and a fuel capacity of 460 gallons (1741 l), it is the perfect size for an avid fisher who wants safety as well as performance.

The engine in this fishing machine is a Cummins / QSB6.7 550 MHP shaft drive. Its cockpit, which comes in at 109 square feet, offers the kind of room you would see in much larger game boats.

Viking 38 Open Billfish

The Viking 38 Open Billfish is perfect for day trips but can easily accommodate overnight stays in comfort. It is the same length as the 38 Billfish, coming in at 38 ft. 8 in. (11.79 m), but it is a bit lighter, weighing only 30,453 lbs. (13,813 kg). Its beam is 14 ft. (4.27 m) and it has a fuel capacity of 460 gals (1741 l).

Having much the same specs as its flybridge sister the main difference between the two is the fly bridge being replaced with a small tuna tower and without the weight of the flybridge, you will get an extra 2 knots of speed out of the open billfish.

Viking 38 Billfish’s Layout

Having a well set out flybridge is essential for a game boat, with a walk-around helm with a centre console to maximize space and comfort.

Beside the helm, there is seating for guests so that you do not feel isolated while fishing.

The cockpit and living area include a dinette and a hi-lo fibreglass table along with backwards-facing seats that double as storage and a control panel for your pumps.

If you need extra rod storage, you can use the lounge on the starboard side. With Viking offering different options for customisation, you can opt for a second helm station on the starboard side, giving you access to the cockpit.

The benefits of the 38 Billfish layout do not just stop at the deck. Below the deck, you have climate-controlled living areas. The galley is an L-shaped structure on the starboard side and the private head is near the companionway stairs.

Along with the convenient layout, you can find numerous add-ins, like insulated fish boxes on deck, a walk-in transom door as well as a liftgate, a transom box, and a bait freezer. Fresh and raw-water washdowns are also available.

How the Viking 38 Open Billfish Compares

The Viking 38 Open Billfish does not have a flybridge, but instead, it has a helm on the main deck near the cockpit and also has controls in the tuna tower.

The helm also has a port seat and L-shaped lounges where guests have high seats to get the most out of the view. You can depend on a Coast Clear enclosure to keep the engine controls safe from the weather.

Below deck, the 38 Open Billfish has similar features to its fly bridge counterpart, with a stateroom that accommodates a double bunk and an upper single.

The add-ins are the same as those on the 38 Billfish, including the bait freezer with an upper tray and the fresh and raw-water washdowns.

Viking 38 Billfish and Viking 38 Open Billfish Crucial Specifications

The 38 Billfish engine is a powerhouse, allowing you to reach more than 35 knots and with a cruising speed of 31 knots. You can choose to equip the yacht with a Seakeeper SK 6 gyro and water maker, and you have the option of fuel tank fittings. This yacht has an inboard engine and a fuel capacity of 460 gals (1741 l). It has a generator, as well, and a fire suppression system that is connected to the main engine and generator.

The 38 Open is a faster game boat, reaching 2 knots more than the 38 Billfish, but it has many of the same features. The fuel capacity is the same and you have the option of adding a gyro. It also has a generator and fire suppression systems.

Need to Know

Both of these game boats have Class “S” pitch tolerance propellers and they have a Delta-T ventilation system in their engine rooms.

Another excellent feature is the resin made of vinyl ester that is used in the entire hull and the balsa and closed-cell foam that is used for coring materials. This offers the structure and stiffness you want without adding lots of weight to the yacht. For added security, the hull and deck joints are fastened every three inches.

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