Valhalla Boatworks

The V Report - Inside Scoop

In the Florida Keys

One of the benefits of subscribing to our digital newsletter is you get the inside scoop on the latest news from Valhalla Boatworks, and that includes behind-the-scenes (BTS) sneak peeks of what we’re working on – photos, video, interviews and other cool stuff headed your way. In the next two V Reports, we’ll bring you some BTS from a three-day Florida Keys photo and video shoot of the V-46 Trust Fun and the V-41 Papa’s Pilar. With Viking Photographer and Media Specialist Kyle Juall behind the lens, the trip began with a helicopter shoot off North Key Largo of the Valhalla 46, which features a custom Palm Beach Towers (PBT) gap tower and a trio of Mercury’s 600-hp Verados.

The triple 600s barely broke a sweat at 50-plus mph as we chased Trust Fun from a Bell 407 chopper (piloted by HMC Helicopter Service owner and pilot Gary Freeman) through the pristine waters. A big thanks to Release Marine’s Jonathan Guarisco for allowing us to capture this glorious Snow White beauty.

The captain and crew of Trust Fun were a delight, helping us gather a variety of images of this multi-faceted Valhalla 46. From left to right: Rachael Tomasiello, captain Brad Zimmerman, John McTurk, Blakely McTurk and Chris Graham. This was our first full photoshoot of a V-46 with Mercury’s groundbreaking 7.6-liter V12 600-hp Verados. (Both the V-46 and the new V-55 were designed and engineered for these very engines). Besides her four-foot PBT gap tower, the boat features a host of custom products from Release Marine, including the teak rocket launcher, teak helm pod, first- and second-row helm chairs and forward teak seatbacks.

Above, our crew cruises in comfort on the way to the next shooting site, nestled in the Release Marine helm chairs and shaded from the sun by the custom PBT hardtop.

Couples are naturally drawn to the V-46’s forward lounge, with its leg-elevating design maximizing comfort and its raised position allowing for wonderful water views. The forward seating on all Valhalla models has proven to be a must-have option.

With the help of captain Brad, we also grabbed a wide variety of detail photos, capturing everything from the Mercury 600’s convenient top cowl service hood and gelcoat-finished lazarette with Hooker Sea Chest System to close-ups of the helm electronics and the Palm Beach Towers gap tower. Kyle also jumped in the drink to collect some vivid video of Trust Fun in the gin-clear waters.

Next week: BTS with our friends at Papa’s Pilar Rum. Aboard their Valhalla 41, Mike Schmitt (left) and captain Scott Walker (right) gave us an in-depth look at the fishability of this stunning Stars and Stripes Blue V-41. She features a Palm Beach Towers gap tower and an abundance of equipment and accessories to excel as the ultimate center console fishing machine in south Florida and the Keys for the Papa’s Pilar team.

A proud member of the Viking family!

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