Motor Boat & Yachting - January 2016 UK

Simple helm station

controls the 40hp

outboard engine

A further double

berth is situated

under the cockpit

Removeable partitions

create a separate forward

cabin for added privacy

O

kay, so we know this is

meant to be a feature

about used boats but

when you can buy a

brand new 28ft river

cruiser with six berths

and a fully equipped galley and heads

for less than £52,000 inc VAT, why

bother with somebody else’s cast-off.

Admittedly the hull design is hardly

cutting edge, having enjoyed a previous

existence as the Seamaster 813, but

the layout works as well as ever and the

fit out is surprisingly smart for the

money. Better still, it’s built in Britain

and comes with a free month’s berthing

and a five-year hull and engine warranty.

INTERIOR

It may not be the prettiest craft on the

river but boy does it pack a lot into its

compact overall length. You wouldn’t

believe how light and spacious it feels

down below. The full-length galley is

properly kitted out with a gas hob and

oven, the heads compartment has a hot

shower and toilet and the central

dinette converts into a good sized

double. Removeable partitions lead to a

second convertible double forward with

a further double in a curtained off

crawl-in cabin under the cockpit.

EXTERIOR

Two bench seats aft with a double helm

seat forward provide plenty of seating

space for guests to watch the world go

by, and Viking has done a good job of

smartening up the cockpit with a more

contemporary choice of materials and

flooring. A decent canopy makes this

area useable even in colder months.

ENGINEROOM

Using a single 40hp outboard engine

not only keeps the cost down, it also

makes it blissfully quiet, simple to

maintain and cheap to run. It may be

petrol but we’d be surprised if your

annual fuel bill strayed beyond two

figures on the river.

PERFORMANCE

It’s not going to excite Jeremy Clarkson

wannabes but it’s plenty fast enough for

river use and the optional bow thruster

ensures it’ll be simple to berth.

DATA FILE

Length 27ft 0in (8.23m)

Beam 9ft 2in (2.8m)

Draught 1ft 4in (0.43m)

Displacement 2.1 tonnes

Fuel capacity 4.4 imp gal (20 litres)

Engine Mariner 40hp petrol

FOR SALE Tingdene Boat Sales.

Web: http://www.tingdeneboatsales.net

2015 £51,090

Viking

275 Hi Line

Not the prettiest or

most modern looking

A brand new boat

with lots of interior

space and fantastic value



RATING

JANUARY 2016 99

BOAT MASTER FINDME A USED...