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.

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