The designer of the new generation of sailing yachts from Viko is the Italian Sergio Lupoli (SLYD). For the S 30, he has designed a hull with all-round characteristics that offers plenty of volume for good cruising comfort as well as fast and safe sailing characteristics.
The standard version of the Viko S 30 has a T-shaped fixed keel with a deep bomb. The ballast ratio is just under 35 per cent. A lifting keel is also available as a variant. This allows the draught to be reduced to 0.60 metres. The comparatively high rig and an optionally available racing sail with a square-top mainsail match the sporty orientation.
The shipyard shows flexibility in the interior design. The Viko S 30 is available in two versions: as an owner's version with a two-metre-wide double berth installed aft and an additional cabin forward, which is only wide enough for one adult or two small children. Or with two cabins aft and the wet room forward. Both versions also offer a saloon with additional sleeping accommodation and a small galley with sink, gas cooker and cool box.
The Viko S 30 is on show at Interboot in Hall A3, Stand 202, and is a pre-production model that does not yet allow a final assessment to be made. Too many areas are not visible or simply not finished. For example, the GRP engine box, which also serves as a companionway, cannot be opened or removed. In the bathroom, there is no access to the seacocks of the sink and toilet. Nor can the floorboards be raised to access the bilge, which is very shallow anyway.
At first glance, the construction appears quite neat, but the boat looks very sober on and below deck. In fact, you should think of the S 30 more as a large small cruiser for inland waterways or sheltered coastal cruising than as a small yacht.
This puts the favourable price of just 29,750 euros at market launch into perspective. This only applies to the meagre basic equipment. With a 10 hp built-in diesel and ready-to-sail equipment as defined by YACHT, the Viko S 30 costs around 55,000 euros ex shipyard.
