When a customer ordering a 52 Sport Coupé with an open aft bulk-head hinted the crowning touch for his yacht would be a ying bridge like a convertible we had the answer in the 68 EB’s addition, which t perfectly in both scale and function. The result is the 52 Sky Bridge, a unique yacht that is truly tailored for its owner’s use as an offshore shing machine. The 148 square-foot cockpit is all about shing with rounded coamings, a transom door with gate, ush rod holders, a mounting plate laminated into the berglass sole for anchoring a ghting chair and insulated recessed wells for sh and stowage. The observation mezzanine is an ideal vantage point to watch for strikes and the seating conceals a bait freezer, general stowage and engineroom access. The bridge deck is air conditioned and heated and features three Murray Product ladder back helm seats, plus a spacious L-shaped lounge with stowage below. The starboard molded console houses more stowage, plus a refrigerator with an icemaker. An insulated drink box in the entrance step keeps the crew refreshed yet close to the action. The open back bulkhead is augmented with a Strataglass enclosure and door for all weather protection.The main helm on the bridge deck is equipped with a berglass pod to house electronics and the power assisted hydraulic steering and single lever electronic engine controls contribute to the yacht’s nimble and responsive handling. While the yacht was designed to be operated from the main helm, the upper helm adds tremendous versatility to this very special yacht. An anodized aluminum ladder in the cockpit leads to the sky bridge and the second fully-found helm station. Although com- pact compared to a conventional ying bridge helm found aboard a typical convertible, there is no mistaking true Viking in uences like its centerline berglass custom control pod and a single ladder back marine pedestal seat. Electronics are stowed in a molded berglass console forward of the helm, which rise into view when needed with an electrical actuator. Additional electronics and accessory controls are located to both sides of the pod. Cushion-covered lounges ank the helm and serve as additional bait watching sta-tions. The visibility from the upper helm is superb and with its -berglass hardtop and three-sided Strataglass enclosure, the bridge answered the owner’s every wish.Below, accommodations mirror the Viking 52 Open with a sliding entrance door to the salon featuring custom Amtico vinyl ooring, a 32-inch at screen television and home theater system, an L-shaped lounge and an eye-level electrical distribution panel. An in-line gal- ley to starboard has under counter refrigeration, a microwave/con- vection oven, an electric cooktop, Corian counters and considerable stowage space. Two plush staterooms, each with its own private head and stall shower, plus a laundry center create affable accom- modations for four.
WINTER 2008 79