viking yachts history

Viking Ships: More than Fearsome Weapons of the Open Seas

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Few things struck fear into the hearts of medieval people more than the sight of a fleet of Viking ships sailing up the coast of their homelands. The Viking ship is iconic for its unique style, allowing it to both sail across the treacherous seas of Northern Europe , and row up the narrow rivers and tributaries in the lands of their victims. But Viking ships were not all the same. In fact, they varied quite a lot in style, design, and function. So let’s take a look at the different styles of longships.

What were Viking Longships?

The first thing to note about Viking ships is that they had many different forms and functions: there were warships , merchant ships, and everyday ships. Some ships were multi-purpose, such as being used for both raiding and trading.

The longship first appeared around somewhere between the 9th and 13th centuries, the period when the Vikings were actively raiding Europe. They were both light and strong because the planks and frames were cleaved, meaning they followed the fibers of the tree. This meant the planks were very strong, as well as allowing for a reduction in their size to make the boat lighter.

Due to this, cleaved planks were an essential part of the Viking longship. The Vikings did not use saws to make planks in the Viking age, instead cutting down trees and dividing the trunk into smaller parts by repeatedly chopping it in half lengthways until left with separate planks. For this reason, the trees used needed to be tall, straight, and knot-free. As mentioned, this meant the planks were stronger and could be made smaller, resulting in a lighter boat.

A 1979 excavation of a longship in Hedeby revealed some remarkable wood. The local oak was cut from 300-year-old trees in lengths of over 10 meters without so much as a mark or a blemish.

This method of Viking shipbuilding was derived from the earlier Nordic clinker-boats, built using the same technique. These boats were developed several hundred years before Viking ships. On the clinker-boats, the overlap between two boards acted as a strengthening element in the hull, allowing for a greater distance between the frames. There were a few important improvements, however, that made Viking longships even more effective.

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Viking ship, deliberately sunk ca. 1070; Roskilde Viking Ship Museum, Denmark (Richard Mortel / CC BY 2.0 )

The difference between Viking longships and Nordic clinker-boats

Firstly, they added support for the mast of the ship that began immediately above the keel (the backbone of the ship that runs longitudinally along the center of its bottom). This was done using a big block of timber known as a ‘kjerringa’ or keelson. This keelson might span up to four ribs, and was fixed with treenails (hard wooden pins used for fastening timber). The primary function of this was to evenly spread the weight of the mast and the strain caused when under sail. The keelson also had a vertical arm attached to it that supported the mast until it reached deck level, where the mast was supported by yet another block of timber that was slotted into it like a fork. This development allowed the Vikings to build ships that could not only be used on rivers but also on stormy seas.

Another crucial element to the Viking longship was the stem. This was the upright timber at the front of the vessel. It is probably also the most iconic part of the ship. The streamlined hull tapered off into the narrow, elegant fore and aft stems. Stepped stems are also where we see the clearest impact of the Viking age on Scandinavian shipbuilding. These stems were made from a single piece of timber, and they were carved in a way that created the illusion that the strakes (planks) all ran seamlessly into the stem top, creating a sleek look. This made for a streamlined hull that seems to be a major reason for the speed and sailing capabilities of these ships.

Meanwhile, the sail of the Viking longship allowed it to cover great distances over the open sea. Varied sails on different styles of Viking ships called for different materials, with flax and wool being the main two materials used. Flax , a plant fiber, makes for a light but strong sail. On the other hand, flax is very hard to work with and it also rots easily. Wool, meanwhile, is heavier and more elastic, but it doesn’t rot. It is, however, harder to treat and seal.

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Viking Longboat 'Hugin', Ramsgate (Peter Lelliott / ( CC BY-SA 2.0 )

What types of ships have been found?

In terms of the different types of ships found, there have been small levy vessels of up to 20 rowing benches that were maintained by local communities for royal service when the king called upon them. There were also standard warships with up to 30 rowing benches, most likely the possessions of earls and kings, with incredible craftsmanship and intricate detailing. These ships have only really been dated to the late Viking age and were referred to as ‘drekar’ or dragons, probably due to the intricately carved beasts on their prowls.

The earliest and most simple designs were known as ‘karvi’, and used between 6 and 16 rowing benches. They were excellent for both raiding and trading and were frequently used for both. The earliest Viking raids were likely conducted using these. The biggest longships used in warfare were known as ‘snekkja’, which means ‘thin and projecting’. These had a minimum of 20 rowing benches.

The design of all these ships is quite extreme, with a length-breadth ratio of over 6:1 and a shallow draft. The ships were incredibly unique for their time, but this made them perfect for raiding. The ships could easily land on any beach as well as navigate up almost any river or tributary, something no other sea-faring ships could do. If it weren’t for the development of the longship, it is likely the Viking age would never have even happened.

Top image: Viking Longboat 'Hugin', Ramsgate Source: Peter Lelliott / ( CC BY-SA 2.0 )

By Mark Brophy

All about the Viking Ship . Vikingeskibs Museet. Available at: https://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/professions/education/all-about-the-viking-ship

Durham, K. 2002. Viking Longship .7/11/2016. Viking Longships. Danish Net. Available at: https://www.danishnet.com/vikings/viking-longships/

Mark has a history degree from the National University of Ireland in Maynooth. He grew up surrounded by medieval ruins of the Irish midlands where he developed a passion for history, folklore and mythology. He has a particular interest in... Read More

Viking ships

How did the Vikings navigate the world's oceans in search of land and treasure?

The ‘Vikings’ were seafaring raiders and traders from Scandinavia. The period known as the Viking Age lasted from AD 700 until 1100.

‘Viking’ was the name given to the seafarers from Norway, Denmark, Finland and Sweden. During the Viking age many Vikings travelled to other countries, such as Britain and Ireland. They either settled in these new lands as farmers and craftsmen, or went to fight and look for treasure.

How do we know about the Vikings?

Archaeologists have studied the remains of Viking farms, villages and towns and have put together a picture of how they might have lived. Graves have given us lots of information about the Viking way of life, because some important Vikings were buried with their possessions. Several buried or sunken ships have been found, and these have helped us to understand their seafaring technology.

What sort of ships did the Vikings have?

The Vikings built many different kinds of craft, from small fishing boats and ferries, to their famous longships. They were all made from planks of timber, usually oak, overlapped and nailed together. The ships were made watertight by filling the spaces between the planks with wool, moss or animal hair, mixed with tar or tallow. The ships were all the same long narrow shape, with shallow draughts. This meant that they could be used in shallow water.

Vikings used longships to make raids and carry their warriors. Often, the prow (front) of the ship was decorated with a carving of an animal head – perhaps a dragon or a snake.

Cargo vessels were used to carry trade goods and possessions. They were wider than the longships and travelled more slowly. Planked deck were only laid at the ends of the ship, so that space was left in the middle for cargo.

How did the Vikings ships move?

The ships were powered by oars or by the wind, and had one large, square sail, most probably made from wool. Leather strips criss-crossed the wool to keep its shape when it was wet. Viking ships also had oars. A steering oar or 'steerboard' was used to steer the ships. It was fastened to the right-hand side of the ship at the stern (back).

What was life like at sea for Vikings?

There was no shelter on these vessels. At night, Vikings might pull them up on land. They’d take the sail down and lay it across the ship to make a tent to sleep under. Or, they’d pitch woollen tents onshore. If the crew was far out to sea they’d sleep on deck under blankets made from animal skin.

Food would have been dried or salted meat or fish. It could only be cooked if the crew were able to land. They’d drink water, beer or sour milk.

The hardship of life on board, especially in rough seas, meant that Vikings did not make voyages in the winter but waited until spring.

How did the Vikings navigate?

Vikings did not use maps. They had lots of different ways of working out where they were and which direction to travel in. They looked at the position of the sun and the stars. They looked at the colour of the sea, the way the waves were moving and the way the wind was blowing. They looked out for birds and could smell if they were near land. It’s very unlikely that they had a compass, although some Vikings may have used an instrument called a sun-shadow board to help them navigate.

Where did the Vikings travel?

Viking traders travelled around the coast of Europe to trade. By sailing south along the lakes and rivers of Russia and Germany they were able to meet up with traders from Arab and Eastern countries. The Vikings made much longer journeys when seeking lands to settle, travelling to Iceland, Greenland, Canada and North America.

What goods did they trade?

Products that the Vikings exported from Scandinavia included walrus ivory, whalebone, and the furs and skins of animals such as fox, bear, beaver and otter. They also carried amber, a fossilized resin that was cut and polished to make beads, pendants and brooches. All these natural products were traded for goods in different countries.

In Britain, the Vikings wanted to obtain wheat, wool, honey and tin. They bought salt and wine from France, and glass from Italy. This glass was often recycled and formed into beads for necklaces. By travelling along Russian rivers, merchants from the east were able to provide the Vikings with luxuries such as silk, silver and spices.

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Viking Yachts History

Brothers Bill and Bob Healey founded the Viking Yacht Company in 1964 with the purchase of Viking Builders, a revered New Jersey manufacturer of wooden sport fishing and cruising boats. In 1971 the Healey brothers introduced the Viking 33 Convertible, their first all-fiberglass model, swiftly followed by the immensely popular Viking 40. The colossal demand for the Viking 40, so high that the company sold over 400 in just ten years, propelled Viking to the pinnacle of the pleasure boat industry. Viking brought their engineering excellence and talent for sophisticated design to the large motor yacht market in 1987 with their purchase of Gulfstar Yachts, an innovative Florida builder with a reputation for producing some of the most modern designs of the time. While the industry labored under the burden of the Luxury Tax in the early 1990s, Viking experienced a setback but put the slower pace to good use by refining their ever-evolving product line. They surged back to prominence in 1996 to win Boating Magazine’s “Boat of the Year” honors for their 60′ Cockpit Sports Yacht. The company formed Viking Sport Cruisers in 1996, extending their market reach. Viking has continued to develop their manufacturing and production lines, expanding to offer top of the line convertibles, cruisers, and motor yachts. Viking can build over 100 yachts a year from 42 to 82 feet with its six production lines. They bring their signature commitment to innovative engineering and sumptuous luxury to every inch of their yachts, designing and manufacturing virtually every part other than a few major components, such as engines and appliances. Viking’s vessels benefit from this inherent quality control advantage, with each yacht thoroughly inspected by dedicated personnel during the build process. Their careful attention to detail ensures greater reliability, safety and customer satisfaction.

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The Ages of Exploration

Viking ships.

Quick Facts:

The Viking ship was a strong durable ship that allowed the Norsemen of Scandinavia sail long distances and raid far away kingdoms.

Date : 700-1100AD

Floki Vilgerdarsson

Floki Vilgerdarsson Viking ship {{PD-Art}}

Additional Resources

Viking ships were very versatile. Both of their two main styles of ships fared well against the dangers of open sea travel as well as on the narrow rivers of the foreign lands they were raiding. This versatility allowed the Vikings to explore lands as far west as Canada, as far east as Russia, and as far south as Africa!

Legends about the Viking Age present Vikings as ruthless invaders, but their culture and history were far more complex. In the 6 th Century BCE the Vikings did begin to raid the monasteries on the coasts of England and, after finding their campaigns to be successful fundraisers, they continued their pillaging in France and Russia. In the 9 th century, the Vikings began to sail farther west, eventually coming to the land they named Vinland, which is now known as Newfoundland in Canada. There is even archaeological evidence of trade between the Vikings in Scandinavia and the inhabitants of Africa and Asia! The Vikings’ marine success was due, in large part, to the seaworthiness of their ships. These ships were very versatile, allowing the Vikings to sail on the open sea as well as the narrow rivers of the European mainland. The Vikings were the best ship designers of their time, and much like the Phoenicians they were master navigators and sailors.

The Vikings used two main types of ships for these expeditions. The first was known as a drakkar , or “longship,” designed for carrying raiding parties. The longship had a single sail and mast, which were removable for storage, and carried oars that the crew used to propel the ship forward. The hull also assisted in the smooth sailing of a drakkar . It was designed to be flexible, so that it would move with the waves instead of against them. The head of a dragon, horse, or swan was usually sculpted onto the bow. The Vikings also mounted their shields along the side of the vessel to have them ready in the event of an attack. These ships were likely the ones used in the raids in England and France.

The second kind of ship was known as the knörr , meaning “halfship”. The halfship was a merchant ship used for carrying cargo such as cattle, wool, timber and wheat. It was a bulkier vessel, with a wider and deeper hull than the longship, holding between 70 and 100 people. Ornate decorations signifying different aspects of Viking culture and the Norse religion and mythology were typically carved into the sides of these ships. Unlike the longship, the knörr carried fewer oars, and these were used for docking only. The mast on a knörr was a permanent part of the ship and could not be removed. These types of Viking ships were probably close to the ship on which Leif Eriksson traveled to North America.

Vikings used their ships with care. They followed the seasons, venturing out to sea in the spring and returning to the safety of home at the end of autumn. They put a lot into creating strong durable ships and became the masters of the Northern Atlantic.

Waldman, Carl, and Alan Wexler. Encyclopedia of Exploration, Vol. 1-2. New York: Facts On File, 2004.

Weaver, Stewart A. Exploration: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press, 2015.

Sawyer, P.H. Kings and Vikings: Scandinavia and Europe AD 700-1100. London: Routledge, 1984.

Villiers, Capt. Alan. “Vikings and Longships, Scourge of Northern Seas,” in Men, SHips and the Sea. Washington DC: National Geographic Society, 1962.

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History Hit Story of England: Making of a Nation

10 Facts About Viking Longships

Harry Atkins

02 apr 2023.

The Vikings are best remembered as fearsome warriors, but their longlasting legacy owes just as much to their seafaring aptitude. Both the Vikings’ ships and the skill with which they utilised them were key to the success of many of their exploits, from fishing and exploring the oceans to raiding.

Though Viking boats came in many shapes and sizes, the most iconic and effective Viking vessel was undoubtedly the longship. Long, narrow and flat, longships were fast, durable and capable of navigating both choppy seas and shallow rivers. They were also light enough to be carried over land.

It’s easy to characterise the Vikings as bloodthirsty reprobates rampaging across Europe , but the craft and innovation of the shipbuilding that enabled their conquests deserves recognition.

The fact that Leif Erikson led a Viking crew to North America in around 1,000 — 500 years before Christopher Columbus set foot on the New World — makes clear the Vikings’ remarkable maritime prowess and showcases the robustness of their boats.

Here are 10 things you may not have known about the impressive longships.

1. Their design evolved over many years

Reenactment of the Viking landing at L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland, Canada, 2000

Image Credit: Joyce Hill, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The design principles that led to the Viking longship can be traced back to the beginning of the Stone Age and the umiak, a large open skin boat used by Yupik and Inuit people as long as 2,500 years ago.

2. Viking ships were clinker built

The so-called “clinker” method of ship construction is based on planks of timber, usually oak, being overlapped and nailed together. Spaces between planks were then filled with tarred wool and animal hair, ensuring a watertight ship.

3. Longships were able to navigate in shallow waters

A shallow draft allowed navigation in waters as shallow as one metre and made beach landings possible.

4. Their top speed was around 17 knots

Speed was variable from ship to ship but it’s thought that the quickest longships could achieve speeds of up to 17 knots in favourable conditions.

5. The boats were typically embellished with decorative head pieces

Skilfully carved animal heads often featured as figureheads at the front of longships. These heads – those of dragons and snakes were popular – were designed to provoke fear in the spirits of whichever land the Vikings were raiding.

6. Longships combined rowing power with wind propulsion

Typically equipped with rowing positions along their entire length, longships also utilised one big square sail, woven from wool. Steering came courtesy of a single steering oar at the back of the ship.

7. They were double-ended

Their symmetrical bow and stern design allowed longships to swiftly reverse without having to turn around. This was particularly handy when navigating icy conditions.

8. Longship classifications were linked to rowing capacity

Skibladner ship on Unst

Image Credit: Unstphoto, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The Karvi had 13 rowing benches while the Busse had up to 34 rowing positions.

9. The vessels were instrumental in enabling the Vikings to explore the globe

The breadth of the Vikings’ explorations was remarkable. From North America in the west to Central Asia in the east, the Viking Age is defined by geographically expansive exploration that wouldn’t have been possible without such advanced shipbuilding.

10. The longship design was hugely influential

The Vikings’ shipbuilding skills accompanied their extensive travels. Many of the longship’s characteristics were adopted by other cultures and continued to influence shipbuilding for centuries.

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11 Famous Viking Ships [History, Pics & Facts]

List of famous viking ships & their excavations .

The Vikings were seafaring people who traveled extensively for purposes of war, trade, and settlement. Because of their connection to the sea, the Vikings crafted unique styles of boats and ships that were perfectly suited for sailing in the Baltic Sea and other bodies of water.

Viking ships are characterized by their tar waterproofing and light construction. Viking sailors could pull their ships to shore with ease.

Ships were constructed for sailing and rowing. Oarmen could row in shallow waters or set sail across major oceans.

During the Viking Age (793-1066), craftsmen built hundreds of ships . In the earliest part of this period, ships lacked specialization. Ships for transport, trade, and warfare looked relatively similar.

Starting in the 9th century, Viking ships gained specialization in their design. Warships called longships developed to maneuver through water with ease and speed. These ships were long and slim and capable of carrying large groups of warriors.

By the 10th century, the Viking longship evolved to include a few variations. Longships were called skeidar. Smaller ships, or snekke, could be used for various purposes. Some ships were decorated with elaborate dragon or snake heads. This category was referred to as drakkar.

Cargo ships were also specialized during this time.

These categories of Viking ships became apparent as archaeologists began excavating vessels in the 19th century. Fully preserved Viking ships are extremely rare, but even fragments of ships can tell us much about how the vessels were built and why they sailed.

The following are some of the most famous excavated Viking ships in history. They are excellent representations of the seafaring culture of the Vikings and their achievements as explorers.

The famous ships listed below are roughly organized by year of excavation.

1) Tune Ship

The Tune ship is a Viking karve, which is a type of small longship. This specific vessel features a broad hull.

It was found at the Haugen Farm Norway in a ship burial mound in 1867. Olaf Rygh led the excavation and named the ship “Tune” because of its burial in the Tune Parish.

The karve measures approximately 61 by 14 feet and is made up of fragments. Archaeologists date the Tune ship to around 900 AD.

The Tune ship is of clinker build, like most other Viking vessels. Clinker construction means that the planks of the hull overlap.

The Tune ship is currently displayed in the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway.

2) Gokstad Ship

The Gokstad ship is the most famous Viking ship ever excavated and is one of the best preserved in the world. The ship dates to the 9th century and features signature Viking clinker construction.

The overlapping oak planks can be seen in the photo below.

The Gokstad ship was found 1880 in a Gokstad, Norway burial mound.

The ship’s construction made it suitable for war, trade, and transport. The ship measures 78 feet long and 16.7 feet wide. This large ship required up to 32 oarsmen.

The Gokstad ship is currently displayed in the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway.

3) Oseberg Ship

The Oseberg Ship was excavated in Oseberg, Norway between 1904 and 1905. It dates to the 800s AD.

This ship is categorized as a karve, which is a small longship. The oak vessel measures 71 feet long and 16 feet wide.

The Oseberg is famous for its detailed construction. The above photo shows the intricate wood carving found on the ship’s fragments.

The Oseberg’s fame is partly due to a number of reconstructions of the ship. Reconstructions help the public understand the original design and purpose of the ship.

4) Ladby Ship

The Ladby ship was excavated in 1934-36 from a burial mound. Although poorly preserved, the ship’s many rivets allowed archaeologists to reconstruct the vessel.

Interestingly, the Ladby ship was discovered with its anchor. It also featured unique metal spiral decorations.

Experts date the Ladby ship to the 900s. It is smaller than other discoveries and would have required an estimated 15 to 16 oarsmen.

5) Haithabu Ship

The Haithabu ship was found in Denmark in 1953. The underwater excavation uncovered a long and narrow ship measuring 31 meters by 2.7 meters. These measurements make the Haithabu ship the narrowest Viking ship ever found.

The Haithabu vessel required around 30 oarsmen. It dates to approximately 985 AD.

6) Skuldelev 1

The Skuldelev 1 ship is one of several vessels uncovered at Skuldelev on the Roskilde Fjord in Denmark. Skuldelev 1 was a cargo ship built around 1030.

Because of its design as a cargo ship, this vessel measures 15.8 by 4.8 meters. Skuldelev 1 is made of primarily pine planks with oak repairs. The vessel could hold a small crew of 6 to 8 men.

About 60% of the Skuldelev 1 ship is preserved. Visitors can view the ship at the Viking Ship Museum in Denmark.

7) Skuldelev 2

Skuldelev 2 was also found on Roskilde Fjord. This war ship is thought to have been constructed in Ireland in around 1042. It could hold 65-70 warriors and required 60 oarsmen.

The ship measures 30 meters long and about 4 meters wide.

Archaeologists uncovered Skuldelev 2 in 1957. Since then, many people have learned about the ship thanks to reconstruction efforts. The above pictures show the Skuldelev 2 reconstruction sailing in waters around Dublin.

8) Skuldelev 3

Skuldelev 3 is a small trading ship found at Roskilde Fjord in Denmark. The ship was constructed from Danish oak in 1040.

The ship measures 14 meters by 3 meters.

9) Skuldelev 5

Skuldelev 5 dates to 1030 and is a small longship designed for sailing in the Baltic Sea.

The ship is uniquely crafted from both new and used wood. This is a rare characteristic and has puzzled archaeologists.

The vessel measures 17 meters long and 2.5 meters wide. 50% of the ship has been persevered and is on display in the Viking Ship Museum of Denmark.

10) Skuldelev 6

Skuldelev 6 is a small fishing boat that is 70% preserved. It was likely built in western Norway in 1030 from a mix of pine, birch and oak wood.

The vessel measures 11 meters long and 2.5 meters wide.

11) Gjellestad Ship

The Gjellestad ship excavation is the first of its kind in about a century. Lars Gustavsen and Erich Nau discovered this longship using ground-penetrating radar.

The ship was buried just below the topsoil at the Gjellestad Farm in Halden, Norway. The discovery was made in 2018 and the site has been undergoing excavation since.

The ship dates to 733 AD at the earliest. Efforts to preserve the ship started in 2020.

Besides the longship, the Gjellestad excavation site also includes burial mounds and longhouses. The area is thought to have been a sacred site since the Bronze Age.

Archaeologists have uncovered large sections of the Gjellestad ship and its rivets. Other items found at the site include a large amber bead, a bracelet, large axes, and the bones of humans, horses, and cattle.

Inside the Viking Yachts Demonstrator Program

By Cameron J. Rhodes
May 20, 2024

A Viking sport-fishing boat cruising on the open waters.

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On a breezy day in June, Viking 64 —her right rigger full of flags—rounded the corner of the Intracoastal Waterway as the boat approached Toler’s Cove Marina in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. The spartina grass on either side of the saltwater creek’s edge glowed fluorescent green in the afternoon sun, and the humid haze of a Lowcountry summer hung low and thick around the boat’s gleaming hull. Those driving across the nearby drawbridge might have assumed that the Viking Yacht Co.’s demonstrator team had placed in yet another tournament. Instead, the crew had just set an unofficial state record for blue marlin releases in a single day. Celebrating accordingly, the demo crew had just made history, a standard that Viking Yachts considers a fundamental component of company culture.

The Viking demonstrator program is one of the most widely recognized sport-fishing operations of its kind, with a long list of outstanding tournament performances and boat sales tied to its storied title. Pat Healey, Viking’s president and CEO , oversaw the establishment of the program 40 years ago; since then, not only has he watched it foster strong relationships with new and returning customers, but he’s also seen the operation build character and lifelong careers. While it’s now become a critical pillar of the company’s success, with a full-time captain and two full-time mates who travel the globe aboard the company’s most advanced builds, Viking’s demo program didn’t quite start that way.

Four anglers fishing from the cockpit of a sport-fishing boat.

The Founding of a World-Class Program

Healey first learned the value of these programs while working as a part-time mate aboard another company’s demo boat. Fresh out of high school, he’d spend the week working at Viking Yachts, which his father and uncle owned and operated. Then, on the weekends, he’d head out on ViCat , a Viking build that the local Caterpillar dealer used as a demonstrator. “While working on the ViCat , I started to see the benefit of having a boat available during the summer months that Viking could use to test new systems and to showcase new models to customers,” Healey recalls. “That’s when I started talking to my dad and uncle about the possibility of us building a demo boat.”

At the time, Viking built cruisers. Healey’s father and uncle had little interest in the fishing market. He, on the other hand, couldn’t resist the sport. In 1978, Healey’s father and uncle finally agreed to expand Viking’s suite of cruising models to include boats optimized for fishing. “We built a 40-footer with turbos and a Bimini top that we used during tournaments and for fun fishing,” Healey says. “I ran the boat for a couple of summers with a group of other young mechanics and sales guys who worked at the plant. After 150 hours each summer over two years, we started gaining success and attention with the fishing models.”

By 1984, Drew McDowell had taken over the helm of the demo program, a position he’d hold for the next 19 years. With the new operation in place, Viking’s team was able to compete at an entirely different level. Soon, leadership expanded the program to have a demo boat operating year-round. Meanwhile, Viking’s designs continued to evolve and adapt to the demands of the sport-fishing industry. The boats got bigger, and the systems grew more complex. To date, the company has fished 50 different demo boats ranging from 46 to 92 feet. Over the program’s 40-year history, those 50 boats have been critical hubs for owners, captains and mates to socialize and exchange ideas.

View of a sport-fishing boat with anglers standing in the cockpit and tower.

In his many years as demo captain, McDowell was responsible for boat design, testing, sales and, of course, tournament fishing. It was a big job and one that required world travel. In 2003, McDowell moved into a full-time position with Viking Marine Group’s newest endeavor, Palm Beach Towers.

In 2004, Capt. Ryan Higgins found himself at an interview that would determine the course of his life. “I was 24 at the time, and my interview with Viking was running the 65 demo during the Buccaneer Cup,” Higgins says. “We had an incredible tournament, which led to a job opportunity with Viking. I told Pat and Don Gemmell, another former demo captain and longtime member of Viking’s design team, that I wanted to be part of the design of the product, not just the demo program. Pat brought me up to New Gretna [New Jersey] to learn the product firsthand and work on the production line. I worked every stage of the line for the build of Hull No. 1 of the flagship 74 convertible. It was the best learning experience of my life.”

A few years into his career on the production line and as a mate aboard the demo program, Higgins moved up to the bridge as Viking’s demo captain. He’d hold that position for 15 years and in that time would also take on responsibilities as the demo program manager, a job that handles the administration and communication related to the operation. Much like McDowell, Higgins eventually moved into another position in the company. He’s now the Southeast sales manager for Viking Yachts and general manager for Valhalla Boat Sales, another division of Viking Marine Group.

The demo program has created an impressive pipeline for Viking. When they’re ready for it, the program’s crewmembers have been able to step away from full-time fishing jobs into other fulfilling industry-leading positions. McDowell, Gemmell and Higgins are examples of the caliber of employees that the program has fostered and built, all while promising vertical growth. That kind of climate is tough to find in all industries, and sport fishing is no different. And it was that high-profile career pipeline that locked in Viking’s newest crew.

A black and white image collage of four sport-fishing anglers.

Forming the Crew

New Jersey might be home to Viking Yachts, but the company’s demo program now boasts a full-time crew of fishermen born and raised in the South. Capt. Sean Dooley took the helm in 2021, with mates West Rivers and Thomas “Smalls” Garmany coming on board shortly afterward. They’ve proved themselves a formidable team, just as equipped to compete with the best as they are to talk trash to each other. They’re extremely talented and wildly fun, with a mix of Southern grit and charm that Viking welcomes.

Although he now lives in Charleston, South Carolina, Dooley got his start working on charter and private boats in his hometown of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Once he graduated from college, he worked as a mate for more than a decade, traveling to premier fishing destinations around the world. Dooley took his first turn as a captain in 2016 on a 63-foot Scarborough called Jackpot , a new program that would spend most of its summers fishing the South Carolina circuit with Garmany in the cockpit. Dooley and Garmany, who consider each other brothers, would ultimately lead that team to win the South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series in 2019.

When Dooley was ready for something new, he got a call from a friend about a potential job opportunity and reached out to Higgins to see if he’d be one of his references. That call opened the door to an entirely unexpected and exciting opportunity for Dooley: a shot at becoming Viking’s demo captain. It was a career move he couldn’t pass up, so he made the trip to Palm Beach the next morning to interview with some of the demo program’s longest-running members: Healey, Gemmell, McDowell and Higgins. “When you’re considering any new job, you never really know what you are getting into,” Dooley says. “I’d known all of those guys for a long time, but not on a personal level. It turned out to be a hell of an interview. For two hours we talked about all kinds of things. It was all just so comfortable and easy, which helped me to make my decision when they offered me the job.”

As the captain, Dooley was given the freedom to select his mates for the program. Garmany was tied up in prior commitments to other boats, and Dooley needed someone to sign on right away. He lucked out when he learned that Rivers, Garmany’s childhood friend and the longtime mate aboard Fa-La-Me , was looking to make his next career move. Rivers was a natural fit for the program. Not only did the Charleston native have great experience already under his belt after fishing with prominent programs such as Rookie IV , Caramba and Fa-La-Me , but he also had the foresight to see the bigger picture. Rivers recognized that taking a job with the Viking demo program was not just a great opportunity, but it also offered potential longevity.

Garmany, however, still had some reservations about the job even after his schedule opened up. The exceptionally talented mate grew up fishing with his dad, Capt. Bobby Garmany, in Charleston. He’s worked for big-name programs such as Big Oh , Outlaw and Fish Tank . So when Dooley came to him with an opportunity to join the demo program, he wasn’t sure he was ready for a corporate gig. “Dooley sat me down and told me that this was what we needed to do together, that this was the right next move for our careers. He told me it was the best job in the industry. And he was right.”

Ordinarily, a captain and mate have years to get to know a boat, but that’s not the case for the demo crew. With boats cycling in and out of the program every three months or so, the demo boys never stop running. “One of the hardest things about it is having to switch out boats so often,” Dooley explains. “Each year we have a winter boat and a summer boat. Then, every other year, in addition to our one winter boat, we have two boats—an A boat and a B boat—operating at the same time in the summer, so there are a lot of moving parts to manage.”

Anglers fishing on a sport-fishing boat.

That efficiency would come with perks for the crew. “Pat told us that the more we are willing to change boats, the more we get to go fishing,” Rivers explains. “Since we can’t put too many hours on a demo before it sells, if we want to get on the water every day, then we have to be ready to make those transitions. It’s a lot of work on the side, but we can load and unload a boat in a single day now.”

Fishing has always been a priority for Dooley, Rivers and Garmany. While Healey enjoys a day or two of downtime, he knows that his demo crewmembers are always chomping at the bit to head offshore. “I call them my thoroughbreds,” Healey says. “I can’t have them sitting around too long. We have to go out and run ’em.”

Each of those prized horses brings very different skills to Viking’s demo team. “Sean has the desire to catch more fish than everyone else, whether or not he’s in a tournament,” says Higgins. “He’s been a great addition to the demo team, and his success in just a short amount of time has been impressive.” Healey agrees and says, “Sean is loved by everybody. He’s always bopping around the docks and networking. He does a great job getting us on the fish, keeping the boat in excellent condition and running the program.” While Dooley leads the program, Rivers steps in to run the B boat whenever Viking has two demos fishing at the same time. He’s widely recognized as a voice of reason among the three friends. Wholly professional and self-aware, he acknowledges that Garmany is one of the best fishermen working today, and he’s mature enough to realize that Garmany’s talents don’t diminish his own. He fills in where he’s most needed, and that’s why he’s become such an enormously valuable cornerstone of Viking’s team. “West was all in and committed immediately,” Healey says. “He’s always so focused and organized. He’s the glue that holds everything together.”

And then there is Garmany, an impossibly charming fisherman with a disarming laugh and a sense of humor akin to a hound on the trail. “Smalls is one pot-stirring son of a gun,” says Healey with a laugh. “But I’ve never seen a set of eyes on anybody like that.” Higgins agrees: “To say he is incredible in the cockpit is an understatement. He is always thinking and is faster than anyone I’ve ever seen. He is, hands down, one of the best.”

Anglers in the cockpit of a sport-fishing boat.

Worldwide Operations

Since taking the demo captain job, Dooley has absorbed the demo program manager responsibilities as well. In addition to managing the boat and addressing maintenance and fishing needs with the help of Rivers and Garmany, Dooley is now in charge of coordinating the program’s busy schedule. The crew splits time between boat shows, tournaments and international fishing destinations for more than 300 days of the year.

The tournament fishing team includes Viking’s upper management and members of the sales, design and engineering teams. But when fun fishing, the potential guest list expands. “First, Pat fills up whatever dates he’s able to fish with us,” Dooley explains. “Then we open up our calendar to the broker network with a mass email to all of our dealers, potential clients and past clients who are looking to purchase a bigger build or those who have been recurring buyers for years.”

Viking’s demo program offers brokers and their clients front-row access to one of the world’s most professional fishing operations. “The Viking demo crew helps to sell Viking’s customizable product,” explains HMY Yacht Sales’ Tim Gredick, who recently sold two demo boats and whom Healey describes as having used the demo program perfectly. “A team of that caliber showcases how best to use the tool and sets the standard for the kind of crew an owner might like to have in their program. Sean, West and Smalls make clients comfortable, answering questions and showing them a good time, all while proving the outstanding performance that Viking offers.” And that’s the real purpose of the program: to effectively show and sell world-class boats.

The question of who gets to fish the demo boat is almost just as important as where to send the boat next. The program matches the demo to the fishery and the customers in the area, so mapping out a year’s worth of builds requires careful planning. “Sean and his team always want to be where the bite is, and that’s what I love about them,” says Higgins. “Since they’ve come on board, the demo has been spending time in Bermuda, Cabo, Mag Bay, the Dominican Republic and several other great spots. And Pat’s sons, Justin and Sean Healey, are members of the demo fishing team as well, representing the next generation.”

Read Next: Meet Viking Yachts president and CEO Pat Healey in our exclusive interview .

Throughout a build, the current demo team also gets to offer their input on flagship designs and features for the engineers to consider, exchanging ideas and testing new models with the common interest of ensuring the best possible product. “We get to sit in on meetings and give feedback to the engineers,” Garmany says. “I’m getting to see all these aspects of the business that I’ve never been a part of before, which is pretty cool.” Rivers adds, “It’s been clear from the beginning that this company is Pat’s family. He takes care of the people around him, and he fully trusts us, which is important in any job. It’s great to be part of it all.”

As Viking’s demo crew continues to tack on accolades around the world, maintaining the notoriety Healey is proud to have seen develop over the program’s history, he can’t help but look ahead. “Sean, West, and Smalls are all such incredible fishermen. They’re a breed all to themselves,” he says. “When they first came on, I told all of them that this can be a lifetime job if they want it. I can see that they’re proud to be the demo crew. They’re all in. And maybe 10 years or so down the road, when they’re ready, they’ll bring in another crew. And then we’ll get to do this phenomenal cycle all over again.”

More: Issue 281 , Viking Yacht Company

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