New boat

[David Furna]

Alright guys, I've been around the fleet for several years and have sailed on Bennetts, early Rondars....better Rondars, have had many boat yard discussions about the good/bad/problems that exist.....well I have just rigged my new Viper hull 255 and proud to say it's just as ordered. I weighed it first, and it was 750lbs. All the rigging fit and the boat could be sailed "out of the box". Like most of you, I've changed all the things I need to make it "my way", but that's personal preference and extra money. For all the complaints you hear about this, that and no free booze at a regatta.......just wanted to say, Rondar is putting out a good product.
(This is not a paid advertisement nor am I endorsed to speak on Rondars behalf)

[Peter Beardsley]

I agree that the new boats are really solid.  Not necessarily faster, just solid and consistent.  Here's hoping I can find a way to lock down hull 300...

[Justin Scott]

100% agree.

I sailed my new Viper #237 (I wish I could have got 254) last weekend for the fourth time.

I picked it up at lake Garda last June and sailed Viper Europeans, then Rondar shipped it to Florida where I sailed 2x at Sarasota and then it finally arrived home to Connecticut last week in time for our Noroton Viper Open.

I don't think that the boat presents itself any differently to the water than my trusty #54 .....but in terms of quality of construction and ease of use, #237 trumps any Viper I have ever owned (my fourth Viper).

The wedge keel fitting is a huge improvement in terms of convenience. It was as snug in the keel box on delivery day as my Viper #54 keel was without the 20 hours of customized shimming that I had to do to 54 to get a tight fit.  Even better, hoisting and lowering the keel is a joy without the worry of scratching the sides of the keel. On #54 one piece of grit on my tightly shimmed keel box could engave a vertical line on my freshly sanded keel.

Solid, stiff and down to weight with nice systems. Very happy customer

My three requests to Rondar:
1) Please supply the lowers with turnbuckles. On my knees, humbly begging for new boats to be supplied with turnbuckles on the lowers . Like all owners I just go and ahead and order lowers with turnbuckles from Gulf performance or APS.....but much as I love Craig and Debs...why?
2) The spin sheet cleats need to be higher on the tanks.
3) Can we fix the no free booze thing?

[Eddy Parker]

4) either don't include any ropes or get decent stuff

[Peter Beardsley]

I requested that my new boat not be supplied with sheets for this reason, and at least via email, PY said this would be possible.  We'll see if/when the boat arrives in the next few weeks how that turned out. 

[Somers Kempe]

Who you getting your lines through Peter?  Or are you sourcing all yourself?

[Peter Beardsley]

Self sourced.  I think APS does nice work and they have my specs from Boats 1 and 2 if anyone ever wants to call them and say "give me what you give Peter Beardsley for lines."  That said, you won't be running continuous sheets since I don't like 'em -- different strokes.