NEW VIKING 72C, SAFARI, IMMEDIATELY IMPRESSES ON THE TOURNAMENT TRAIL What happens when you’ve reached the apex of your sport, been through all the equipment you can imagine and fished most of the world’s billfishing hot spots? What is there left to strive for? Well, there’s always more fish in the sea to target, and sometimes a better boat to track them down in. Robert McNeill has been fishing for big game most of his life, but is as excited as ever to keep on chasing after marlin. “We just have so much fun at it, whether it’s going after blue marlin at home or striped marlin down in Cabo,” he begins. Robert and his father Sandy have also invested a considerable amount of their lives hunting, including taking many expeditions to Africa back in the day. That’s how the name Safari became emblazoned upon a progression of boat transoms over the last 25-plus years. Based out of Wrightsville Beach, the family has owned several large sportfish convertibles over that time; boats from the finest manufacturers, both custom and production. While the brands have changed, the one constant has been their Sales Professional and friend, Clark Sneed of Bluewater Yacht Sales. As far as active billfishing teams go, the McNeills have held onto their boats for relatively long stints. They fished their 68-footer for over ten years and have owned a Garlington 61 for almost as long. However, all good boats tend to trade hands eventually, and if you’re lucky— the change comes along with some big upgrades. That’s what happened when they took delivery of the latest Safari, a stunning custom Aristo Blue Viking 72C, in early 2022. Between the overall seaworthiness and performance, to the game-changing technologies provided by the new stabilizer and sonar systems; both the McNeills and their Captain, Moon Crossman, are flat out raving about the Viking 72. “It’s so fast and handles the seas so well, and with the gyro, if we need to go... we’ll go!” exclaims Robert. Lighting it Up 24 BLUEWATER
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