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Displaying items by tag: Viksund 260

It could well be that anyone from the coastal districts of Scandinavia has had more than enough of people making silly stereotyped comments about the Vikings writes W M Nixon. But the reality is that when it came to boats, the Vikings really were in a league of their own. And when that Viking maritime heritage has been transferred down the ages into a modern powercruiser which is well able for the challenging waters off the west coast of Norway, we in Ireland should take notice.

For although there’s no lack of sunny images projecting a picture of Norway with a gentle sea, we know in Ireland that such photos will be readily available from the usual sources to portray our own waters too. Yet on our home waters, we know fine well that any serious boat going along the Irish coast has to be ready to take the rough with the smooth. And that’s also the way it can be in Norway, even with all those sheltered leads inside the myriad islands.

So a 26ft powercruiser from a solid Norwegian family firm based on an island off Bergen, with a tradition going back to 1966, for sale on Afloat Boats for Sale, deserves favourable attention. And this Viksund St Cruz 260 for sale in Wexford (yes I know the place has a Viking name, but even BoatBlogger has his limits) becomes more interesting the more we look at her.

(Above) The Viksund 260 off the ancient Viking port of Wexford.

Sea-keeping ability is a Viksund priority, and that is emphasised in the hull design, which can reach 18 knots when the 150hp Volvo diesel is flat out, but a cruising speed of 14 knots keeps things manageable, and the good sense of the hull shape is well able for a variety of conditions.

That said, the boat will blossom in good weather, and the cockpit/accommodation layout leans towards this, while providing overnight accommodation for three. The Viksund 260 is a sensible compromise between the needs of seaworthiness and the hope that the weather Gods are going to send a day reminiscent of the Mediterranean at its sweetest. This well-equipped 2002 model is priced at €49,000 through Leinster Boats.

See the full advert here.

If you have a boat for sale make sure it is listed on Afloat boats for sale site

Published in Boat Sales

The Half Ton Class was created by the Offshore Racing Council for boats within the racing band not exceeding 22'-0". The ORC decided that the rule should "....permit the development of seaworthy offshore racing yachts...The Council will endeavour to protect the majority of the existing IOR fleet from rapid obsolescence caused by ....developments which produce increased performance without corresponding changes in ratings..."

When first introduced the IOR rule was perfectly adequate for rating boats in existence at that time. However yacht designers naturally examined the rule to seize upon any advantage they could find, the most noticeable of which has been a reduction in displacement and a return to fractional rigs.

After 1993, when the IOR Mk.III rule reached it termination due to lack of people building new boats, the rule was replaced by the CHS (Channel) Handicap system which in turn developed into the IRC system now used.

The IRC handicap system operates by a secret formula which tries to develop boats which are 'Cruising type' of relatively heavy boats with good internal accommodation. It tends to penalise boats with excessive stability or excessive sail area.

Competitions

The most significant events for the Half Ton Class has been the annual Half Ton Cup which was sailed under the IOR rules until 1993. More recently this has been replaced with the Half Ton Classics Cup. The venue of the event moved from continent to continent with over-representation on French or British ports. In later years the event is held biennially. Initially, it was proposed to hold events in Ireland, Britain and France by rotation. However, it was the Belgians who took the ball and ran with it. The Class is now managed from Belgium. 

At A Glance – Half Ton Classics Cup Winners

  • 2017 – Kinsale – Swuzzlebubble – Phil Plumtree – Farr 1977
  • 2016 – Falmouth – Swuzzlebubble – Greg Peck – Farr 1977
  • 2015 – Nieuwport – Checkmate XV – David Cullen – Humphreys 1985
  • 2014 – St Quay Portrieux – Swuzzlebubble – Peter Morton – Farr 1977
  • 2013 – Boulogne – Checkmate XV – Nigel Biggs – Humphreys 1985
  • 2011 – Cowes – Chimp – Michael Kershaw – Berret 1978
  • 2009 – Nieuwpoort – Général Tapioca – Philippe Pilate – Berret 1978
  • 2007 – Dun Laoghaire – Henri-Lloyd Harmony – Nigel Biggs – Humphreys 1980~
  • 2005 – Dinard – Gingko – Patrick Lobrichon – Mauric 1968
  • 2003 – Nieuwpoort – Général Tapioca – Philippe Pilate – Berret 1978

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