Earlier this year Michael Jordan’s yacht, a beautiful Viking sportfish, participated in the Ocean City, Maryland White Marlin Open.
Touted as the world’s largest billfish tournament, the White Marlin Open draws thousands of anglers and spectators every summer. More than $5 million in prize money was awarded in 2018. At the August 2019 event Jordan entered his Viking, named Catch 23, and he was entry number 123.
The custom 80 foot Viking is decked out in a wrap matching the famous elephant print from his Air Jordan 3 sneakers. His plane is decked out in the same print.
Jordan himself was spotted on the yacht enjoying cigars and some great weather and fishing! The Viking 80 set up to win, the 216 square-foot cockpit is equipped for tournament fishing with a transom door, freezer, tackle, and general stowage space, live well capacity, fish wells, an ice chest and a chill box for drinks.
Update: June 9, 2020 MJ was in Morehead City, NC for the Big Rock Tournament and his Viking hauled in a 442.3 lb Blue Marlin! It won’t win the tournament, but it was great to see the billionaire owner of one of these boats actually there at the weigh in!
Here’s what the interior of a Viking 80 looks like:
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Learn more about Michael Jordan’s yacht, the Viking 80!
Powered with tier 3 MTU Series 2000 V16 M96L engines each developing 2,635 mhp with Blue Vision controls and display monitors, our testing calculations indicate a top speed in excess of 40 knots with an effortless high 30 knot cruise, depending upon load, sea conditions and ambient environmental factors. These engines are the same as used aboard the 92 Convertible. It is interesting to note that MTU looked to Viking to be the first manufacturer to use this new propulsion system and Viking’s success with its 92 series verified the engines comprise a winning combination for speed, efficiency, range, acceleration and quietness, which will replicate aboard the new 80 Convertible.
Entered through an electric sliding door on the cockpit mezzanine deck, the salon is a forest of satin walnut joinery and leather appointments, created by the artful direction from the team of the William Bales and Company. The 21 ft. 5 in. beam and the use of the vertical space is immediately apparent creating a free flowing movement with the ambiance of a great room. A day head is immediately to starboard. To port, a J lounge and coffee table is a virtual conference area, opposite walnut cabinetry housing a 60 in. flat screen television on an electric lift. Forward to starboard a raised built-in dinette serves a dual purpose with rod stowage for 80 pound outfits. The fore and aft style of the galley maximizes useful space with under counter refrigeration beneath a second dining area with bar stools, while the outboard counter accommodates a double sink and electric cooktop. Forward of the galley, a versatile walk-in pantry is as spacious as a stateroom and can be outfitted as such.
Built for the ultra rich
Inviting accommodations include five generously appointed staterooms, including a full beam master suite with a king size walk-around bed. The port and forward staterooms have walk-around queen beds. The two starboard staterooms have upper and lower berths, and are surprisingly spacious thanks to the use of sliding entrance doors which maximize interior space. Every stateroom has a large head and fiberglass shower stall. A washer and dryer are located in the companionway.
On the flying bridge, a center console command station gives the operator a great view underway and while fishing. Three pedestal helm seats are standard, and additional seating is available on port and starboard lounges, each with rod stowage below. A U-shape lounge and table forward of the console seats more guests, and is notably below the forward sightlines of the helmsman thanks to the raised standing platform behind the console. A freezer is forward between a refrigerated box and a sink with a freshwater outlet. While air conditioning is available on the open flying bridge, a climate controlled enclosed bridge with access from the salon and the mezzanine deck also is available. Additionally, the enclosed bridge convertible also can be ordered with an open Sky Bridge.
A lengthy list of standard equipment includes a hydraulic bow thruster, a centralize seawater system, dual freshwater pumps, Veem S-class propellers, two 29 kW Onan generators, two Glendinning Cablemasters, Charles PM 100 shore power cord combiner and isolation transformer, and an Octoplex touch screen electrical distribution panel with monitors in the salon and on the flying bridge with manual back-up.
This article originally appeared on Hauler Inlet.