From The Press of Atlantic City — Boat builders in southern New Jersey have laid off workers as the cyclical industry struggles with the economic downturn and high fuel prices.

Viking Yachts, based in New Gretna, eliminated about 20 administrative positions about a month ago, according to spokesman Peter Frederiksen.

A week later, it cut about 50 production jobs, he said Monday.

“Some of the people eliminated were added prior to 2007 in the growth part of the cycle,” Frederiksen said, “so we could have been running a little fat there.”

Ocean Yachts, in Egg Harbor City, laid off about 40 production workers in July and August, according to John Leek IV, its general manager.

Leek also said that upper management at Ocean Yachts had taken pay cuts until further notice.

Ira Trocki, owner of Egg Harbor Yachts in Egg Harbor City, said layoffs there were minimal.

“We have a small number. We relocated them to other positions,” Trocki said.

He said the company was restructuring after acquiring Buddy Davis Edition outboard boats.

“As soon as the economy gets better and people start spending money, they’ll buy boats and people will be rehired,” Trocki said.

Frederiksen said that Viking is shifting production lines to accommodate it newest and biggest boat, the Viking 82. That required furloughs of two to six weeks for 75 workers, he said.

The company already has 13 contracts for the 82-foot boat, and it will be among four new models it will take to the Miami Boat Show. The others including at new 57-foot boat, a convertible 46-footer and an open 46-foot boat, Frederiksen said.

At the start of the year, Viking had 1,400 employees, Ocean Yachts had 111, and Egg Harbor Yachts, 120.