Brand new Trailer Sailer for 20K. To good to be true?

Ceirwan

Ceirwan

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Was just doing my weekly browse through the boats on eBay just to see 'whats around' and I stumbled across this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-VIKO-...964386?hash=item3f571577e2:g:Wo8AAOSweuxWRHa6

Now the lines aren't particularly to my taste. but it does seem exceptionally good value for the price. I googled the company and its Polish built. (I have no idea if that's a good or bad thing)

But there does seem to be an awful lot of equipment for the price. The only worrying thing I did spot was the line in the advert:

"Viko Yachts UK reserve the right to modify or change, without notice, any materials, specifications, equipment and/or accessories."

Not words I particularly want to hear when I buy something, I mean that could be construed to mean anything from the mast through the interior electrical fittings.

Any thoughts on this from the forumites?
 
That boat was at the Southampton boat show, so presumably did not sell. Polish trailer sailors have never made much impression here, even though many have tried. just not a market for that sort of boat here. They are very popular in the lakes in Poland and Germany.

That bit about reserving the rights etc is quite normal and you will find most consumer goods sellers will have similar in their T&Cs. It is just to state that the details do not form a contract for a specific item.
 
They also had their Viko 30 at the Southampton boat show. I took a look and was quite impressed considering the price. I thought it would be perfectly suitable for the Solent based cruising I do and was at a price I could one day realistically consider. I've not managed to find much in the way of reviews though.
 
By the time you add an outboard a trailer and other neccessary bits its going to add another 3k or more . To me the design just isn't pleasing to look at.

I would look around at what fairly new fully equipped boats were available for around 23 to 24 k then make a decision.
 
We had a look at the 30 footer at the Southampton Boat Show and were quite initially impressed with the amount of boat you got for your £50k, but the finishing is where they have saved the money in my opinion. For example the trim around the top of the compression post was a plain piece of unfinished 6mm ply, still rough at the edges and only just held on with a single screw - and this was on a show boat, early on day 1 of the show. I wonder what it would have looked like at the end of the show if a fraction of the people who looked at it did as I did and poked their finger in behind it!

The windows holes were also just the painted rough edge of the glassfibre with no trim or real finishing.

I guess I you don't plan on spending a great deal of time in the cabin, then the interior finishing isn't of much concern though!
 
Certainly represents good value. As a comparison, I work for Demon Yachts, that builds the Kite, a 21ft traditional look (but 'hi-tech' built) gaffer which comes in at £30k. Quite a difference in price, not sure how they build and ship it over for 50% less than our boat.

Almost certainly not what the OP is after but if anyone is interested here's ours (I know, shameless plug!): http://www.demonyachts.co.uk/kite.php
 
fredrussell said:
Certainly represents good value. As a comparison, I work for Demon Yachts, that builds the Kite, a 21ft traditional look (but 'hi-tech' built) gaffer which comes in at £30k. Quite a difference in price, not sure how they build and ship it over for 50% less than our boat.

Almost certainly not what the OP is after but if anyone is interested here's ours (I know, shameless plug!): http://www.demonyachts.co.uk/kite.php
Click to expand...

I'm actually not after a new boat! I just spotted it while browsing eBay used boats (I usually look once every few weeks to see whats about) and my reaction was similar to yours, how can they possibly make it for that price.
I mean that's transport, VAT etc. Even has roller reefing.
 
I would question the stability of this boat on anything with shape, maybe a good lake boat but I don't think I would want to use it in the Firth.
 
I had a look at it at Southampton boat show, looked good from more than 10' away. Unfortunately inside the boat that sort of distance is unrealistic so you'd have to actually look at the finish. I don't think it's particularly bad value for money, but I'd much rather spend that amount on something second hand.
 
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