Design and Construction
The 830’s defining feature is her steel single-chine hull, which sets her apart from the fiberglass boats common to her era and gives her a rugged, purpose-built feel. She also has a fin keel.
The builder lists a displacement-to-length ratio of 304.52 on the imperial scale and 304.70 by waterline in the metric reckoning. Either figure confirms that she’s a heavy sailboat rather than a light-displacement racer.
That mass contributes to the Wibo 830’s stability. Combined with a fin keel and a capsize screening value of 1.69, that mass underpins the manufacturer’s description of her as reasonably stable and stiff, with excellent righting capability if capsized. SailWiki independently records the same capsize screening figure and a comfort ratio of 30.31, reinforcing the picture of a hull conceived for steadiness offshore rather than sparkle in a club series.
Rig and Performance
The Wibo 830 carries a masthead sloop rig. Her calculated hull speed is 6.42 knots, but reaching it requires patience. The manufacturer describes her bluntly as under powered, a consequence of carrying heavy displacement on a relatively short waterline.
Her pounds-per-inch immersion figure tells the practical story: at 699.98 pounds per inch—roughly 700 pounds—she sits deep and moves the water she displaces rather than skimming over it. That same heft limits acceleration, but it’s also part of why the builder considers her best suited to bluewater cruising. Her righting behavior supports that intended role.
A single 18-horsepower engine is the only auxiliary listed.
Accommodations
The steel construction and 8.53-foot beam define the space available below. The manufacturer’s bluewater intent implies a boat equipped for living aboard rather than daysailing.
Refits and Ownership
Ownership considerations reflect the realities of a steel cruiser of this weight. Given the under-powered assessment, prospective stewards should regard the 18-horsepower auxiliary as adequate rather than generous.
The 699.98-pounds-per-inch immersion figure also indicates that load management matters on this deep-lying hull. With continuous production dating back to 1969, surviving examples span a long period.
The Verdict
The Wibo 830 is a deliberately heavy, steel-hulled cruiser designed for stability and offshore capability rather than speed or light-air agility. Her single-chine steel construction and excellent righting character make her a serious bluewater candidate in a compact 27-foot envelope. Her under-powered status is the clear trade-off for that security.
Pros
- Steel single-chine hull built by Wibo Yachts since 1969
- Reasonably stiff, with excellent righting capability after a capsize
- Heavy-displacement cruiser that the builder considers best suited to bluewater use
Cons
- Under powered as a heavy sailboat
- Modest 6.42-knot hull speed from 8,267 pounds of displacement on a 22.97-foot waterline
- Only a single 18-horsepower engine documented as auxiliary power
