Valhalla v-55 “Adios” Built for Both Worlds
When the Giorgio family set out to build their Valhalla V-55, they wanted more than ordinary. Their vision was a boat that could entertain on the Great Lakes in summer and fish hard offshore in the winter. The result is one of the most personalized V-55s on the water — and after her first Great Lakes season, she’s proven to be every bit the hybrid they hoped for.
From day one, the design had to flex between cruising and competition. The centerpiece is a fully personalized aft summer kitchen — the first of its kind on a V-55 — with a bi-level fiberglass module accented in faux teak. It houses dual refrigerators, dual sinks, liquor bottle storage, drink holders, USB ports, and a two-tier island counter with cutting board inserts. Integrated live wells and a custom transom seat ensure the space works as well for rigging baits as it does for cocktails.
“The Valhalla is super,” said Giorgio, speaking on behalf of the family. “We wanted a space that could comfortably fit a lot of people without taking away from our live well capacity.”
Personalization continued with the second-row seating. Instead of five individual seats, the family worked with Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales and the Valhalla factory team to create a continuous lounger, upholstered in Sunbrella Horizon fabric by Costa Marine.
“The seat base is still one structure, but we treat it like a lounge — it’s more relaxed, it fits more people, and it’s more us,” they said.
Other highlights include fold-down transom corner seats, Release Marine teak backrests at the bow, twin hi-lo tables, and a full teak deck running bow to stern.
Family-Driven Decisions
Every decision was a family decision. “At the end of the day it’s a blend of comfort and performance,” Giorgio said. “We needed a boat that could travel quickly with a layout for entertaining, but still with all the bells and whistles for chasing billfish, mahi, and tuna.”
They even tapped marine artist Monique Richter to personalize the engines and refresh the family’s logo. “Helping the Giorgio family bring this build to life was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had,” said sales rep Matt Huyge. “They had a clear vision, a passion for the details, and trusted us to execute.”
A Record-Breaking Journey Home
While the V-55 was completed at the Viking Yachts facility in New Jersey, the family’s first encounter with their finished masterpiece came at a dock in Manhattan. They spent three days exploring the New York waterways and Long Island Sound before beginning the delivery trip home.
- A record-setting Erie Canal transit in just two days
- A scenic layover in Toronto, complete with time to explore the city
- A journey split into two parts: the first leg with 15 family members aboard, the second with just four passengers and their offshore fishing team
After disembarking in Albany, the boat continued through the Welland Shipping Canal, stopped briefly on Lake St. Clair, cruised up to Mackinaw, and ultimately reached Bay Harbor for the summer season.
From Family Cruiser to Fishing Beast
Today, the Giorgio’s V-55 is equal parts family hub and fishing weapon — teak-trimmed comfort one weekend, tournament-ready the next. “It’s not just a boat,” Giorgio said. “It’s an extension of how we live — and how we connect as a family.”
A GREAT LAKES SUMMER
Why JBYS? With 7 Great Lakes locations, 2 in Naples, FL and 21 mobile service vehicles, JBYS is your trusted partner for boating year-round. Many of our clients head south for the winter, and our Naples location ensures we’re here to support your boating needs wherever the water takes you. Whether you’re exploring the Great Lakes in summer or cruising Florida’s coastline in winter, we’re here to provide world-class service, expertise, and an unmatched selection of yachts and boats.
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