Design and Construction
The S30 is a monohull with a solid fiberglass hull and solid fiberglass deck, carrying an iron ballast of 750 kg on the lifting-keel version or 900 to 1200 kg on the fixed-keel variant. Displacement runs from roughly 2,950 kg up to 3,500 kg depending on keel choice, and the boat weighs about 3.5 tonnes with the heavier of her two keel options anchor. She is offered with a "T" shape fixed keel drawing 1.65 m or a "T" shape lifting keel whose draft shifts between 0.80 m and 1.80 m, letting an owner tailor the underwater profile to his cruising style. A review of the boat noted that the forward coachroof showed a rippling effect as it met the foredeck, looking like internal reinforcement showing through, though this was judged a purely cosmetic matter anchor.
Rig and Handling
Under sail the S30 is agile, stable, and responsive, inspiring confidence in varied conditions. The fractional sloop rig carries a standard-roach mainsail of 22.90 m² or a top-square main of 25.00 m², with a self-tacking genoa of either 18.30 m² or 21.50 m² and a gennaker of 69.00 or 75.00 m². Engine options list a 15 hp sail drive or 15 hp outboard, while European base models came with a 9.1 hp saildrive aimed at lakes, and 15 hp or 20 hp upgrades were available; UK cruising-pack boats typically carried a 20 hp saildrive. One period tester felt some rigging and deck hardware sat a size below what you might find on a much older Westerly Fulmar anchor.
Accommodations
Below, the S30 sleeps six and offers interior volume on a par with other 30-footers. The moulded GRP headlining is bright and low maintenance, though because it is bonded in place, owners cannot simply pop it down to run new wiring — a small annoyance noted by reviewers anchor. The aft cabin is accessed on the starboard side and is unusually large at about 8 ft square, a generous space in port that one reviewer flagged as a freefall liability on an offshore passage anchor.
Known Issues
The cosmetic coachroof ripple does not affect structure. The fixed headlining limits future wire routing. The very large aft berth, while a boon at anchor, offers little restraint in a seaway.
Refits and Ownership
Owners moving up from the Viko S21 will find a familiar layout language and construction approach. The UK cruising pack bundled heating, hot water, lazyjacks, an anchoring kit, and a larger engine, which eases the baseline equipment question for many buyers. The keel-choice flexibility means a used boat's draft should be checked against the buyer's cruising ground.
The Verdict
The Viko S30 is a thoughtfully packaged small cruiser that trades a little hardware heft for volume, cabin comfort, and an adaptable keel. She is rated CE Category B, covering offshore use in up to 40 knots and 4 m seas, which realistically places a Channel crossing or a week in the Scillies within scope.
Pros
- Choice of fixed or lifting keel to suit draft-limited waters
- Six berths with standout aft-cabin space
- Low-maintenance moulded headlining and bright interior
- CE Category B offshore rating
Cons
- Some deck hardware feels light for the size
- Fixed headlining complicates rewiring
- Oversized aft berth lacks seagoing restraint
