Valhalla Boatworks V-46 Fishability Test

The speedy and nimble V-46 runs winding channels like a sports car on a roadcourse. Courtesy Valhalla Boatworks

Hot on the heels of the successful introductions of its 33-, 37- and 41-foot luxury center-consoles, Valhalla Boatworks has launched the V-46, a larger model that blurs the line between open boats and the refined sport-fishers produced by Viking Yachts, its parent company.

The V-46 build process begins with Viking’s computer-driven five-axis router, which carves the plugs for the hull, deck liner, coaming and all other parts. The plugs are then used to manufacture the fiberglass molds to build the boat. To increase strength and reduce weight, the hull, deck and hardtop are built with rigid foam coring, then finished with blister-resistant vinylester resins. The fit-and-finish is as perfect as you’ll find on the finest yachts. All hatches have deep drain channels and gaskets that fit into molded channels to keep them in place and functioning as designed.

Bow seating offers ample storage underneath. Courtesy Valhalla Boatworks

Starting at the bow, the Valhalla features an anchor locker with a windlass and freshwater washdown inside. A pair of upholstered bench seats with storage beneath are located forward and, when combined with the sun lounge molded into the cabin, create a social area for six or more. The largest of the fish boxes is located in-deck, between the forward seats. Two additional fish boxes are found on each side of the cabin house, with two others in the cockpit sole.

The cabin door swings out and away, and locks in the open position for easy entry. The cabin includes a compact galley, a dinette that converts to a queen berth, and a private, enclosed head. A hatchway in the head’s aft bulkhead provides access to the stand-up machinery room housing six batteries in fiberglass boxes, two 60-amp ProMariner chargers, water heater, Sea-Fire fire suppression system, access panels, Delta T ventilation system to keep the area cool and condensation free, and a 9 kW Fischer Panda diesel genset to power the air-conditioner.

The well-appointed cabin offers air-conditioned comfort and overnighting capability. Courtesy Valhalla Boatworks

The large hardtop complements a wraparound, molded-glass windshield with fiberglass frame. Together, they protect the impressive helm station with controls to center, radio boxes on each side of the steering wheel, and a sleek dash with three oversize Garmin multifunction displays set in a flush, black acrylic frame. Seven Release chairs provide two rows of seating. Abaft the second row, mezzanine seats, with rod and drink holders on the backrest, accommodate three more crew. There’s a two-zone refrigerated chest under the seat, and the backrest hides a massive built-in tackle-storage system.

The cockpit sole has two hatches on the centerline: One opens a dedicated compartment for the Seakeeper SK6 gyrostabilizer, and the other provides access to the lazarette and the Hooker sea-chest pump system feeding the dual 54-gallon in-transom livewells, with water flow adjusted from the helm. The boat can also be plumbed for two removable deck livewells to carry more bait or a wider variety.

Seven Release chairs with armrests and flip-up bolsters afford two-row seating. Courtesy Valhalla Boatworks

Much more than a head-turner, the V-46 was designed to address the hardcore fisherman’s needs. It is festooned with flush rod holders, its Gemlux outriggers can be augmented with electric teaser reels, and standard features and options, like two upper-station configurations—a marlin tower and a full-gap tower—are too many to list in full.

The V-46 rides on a patented Michael Peters Yacht Design twin-stepped-V ventilated tunnel running surface. The steps make the boat faster and more efficient by reducing drag, but what sets the Peters design apart from other step hulls is the improved stability and Formula One-type handling derived from the tunnel in the aftmost running surface, which greatly improves tracking and agility.

During our test, the strengths of the hull design were on full display.

Read Next: Fishability Test: Valhalla V-37

Powered by four Mercury 450R outboards, our test boat speed reached the high 60s, and Valhalla claims that without bottom paint, the V-46 has topped 70. Downright nimble, the boat performed tight turns at speed without a hint of slip or slide, a concern—of varying degrees—on some other step-hull designs. Acceleration was quick and with minimal bow rise, steering and throttle input inspired confidence from the get-go, and the Zipwake trim system made adjusting the running attitude easy. The Optimus Electronic Power Steering proved so precise and well-matched to the Valhalla that it seemed to ride on rails.

Dual 54-gallon livewells on the transom are fed by a Hooker sea-chest pump system, with flow adjusted from the helm. Courtesy Valhalla Boatworks

For extended range and better fuel management, three fuel cells offer a 694-gallon capacity, and the control system permits the helmsman to feed any engine from any of the available tanks.

Performance with quad 450s is outstanding, yet the horsepower rating allows for a foursome of Mercury V-12 600s, music to the ears of owners with an itch for speed.

Test Conditions

• Weather: Sunny, 66 degrees
• Location: New Gretna, New Jersey
• Wind: Light and variable Sea State: Calm Test Load: 3 adults, 453 gallons of fuel, 50 gallons of water, painted bottom

Specifications

Valhalla Boatworks – valhallaboatworks.com