Wanna get an idea what the 2017 Viper 640 North American Championships area looks like?
New video posted on the Facebook page of the area: https://www.facebook.com/Viper640NorthAmericanChampionships
Dates for 2017 NAC's are Ocotber 24,25,26,27,28, 2017.
Practice Day October 22
NOR and Yacht Scoring Website coming up the last week in January.
Looks like registration is now open. Jumped in there before the Event Chair to be the first boat to register. http://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=2996
Working on a registration hiccup. Stay tuned....
Hiccup (at least the first one) fixed.
The 2017 Viper 640 North American Championships is getting in to gear.
Notice of Race and Registration are LIVE: http://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=2996
Stay tuned for Pre-event regatta info to come along soon...
#3 Registered!
some very keen Viper sailors looking to show how eager they are to register.....!
Good stuff - let's see if we can get a 70 boat regatta!
Tim Dunton?
Tim Dunton from Alabama and the sceptered isle?
The Tim Dunton with the massive Vipermobile and the Viperettes at St Pete NOOD all those years ago?
21 teams registered now. Pretty good start.
Edit: I mean 25 teams (updated an hour after this post)
Edit: I mean 28 teams (updated 2 hours later)
Now up to 33 teams, including 11 teams from GYA clubs. Not bad for the first 5 days.
36 Teams as of 2/7/17, Not bad for a regatta that is nine months out.
Today the 2017 Viper 640 Championships Committee announces a new Multi Level Sponsor.
The Heart of Florida's Emerald Coast, the community of Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Okaloosa Island joined the 2017 Viper 640 North American Championships to welcome all sailors, friends, families, spectators, and volunteers to one of the best sailing venues in the United States, Fort Walton Beach.
Please the link below to learn about the area, find accommodations, and find things to do on your extended stay in his wonderful area.
http://www.emeraldcoastfl.com/?utm_source=640Viper&utm_campaign=OctoberEvent&utm_medium=logo
Been a busy week.
Marlow Ropes signed on to be Title Sponsor for the Pre-Event: 2017 Marlow Ropes Viper 640 NAC Warm Up Regatta.
http://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=4085
Marlow Ropes has also signed on to be Bronze Level Sponsor for the NACs as well. So we should be seeing some Marlow Ropes reps during the events. Stay tuned for details featuring Marlow Ropes and the Viper NAC's.
Global Technology Systems signed on to be a Sport Level Sponsor for the North Americans: http://www.onthelevel.com/
You will see two teams from Global Technology Systems racing in the NAC's so let them cross on port...
Cooke Insurance Agency signed on to be a Sport Level Sponsor for the North Americans:
www.cookeinsurance.us
You will see the owner of Cooke Insurance Agency , Darren Cooke, driving a Viper at the NAC's. As the owner of Cooke Insurance Agency, you don't let Darren cross , you just hit him. (insert winky face emotion thing here)...
LODGING SPECIAL FOR 2017 VIPER NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Waterscape Resort has a lodging special for the 2017 Viper 640 North American Championships. The special is attached below.
Drone footage of Waterscape Resort can be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rib-_Qf2e50&feature=youtu.be
Quote from: Craig Wilusz on February 22, 2017, 01:21:41 PM
LODGING SPECIAL FOR 2017 VIPER NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Waterscape Resort has a lodging special for the 2017 Viper 640 North American Championships. The special is attached below.
Drone footage of Waterscape Resort can be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rib-_Qf2e50&feature=youtu.be
How far from the club Craig ?
Okay, found it.....just across causeway......closest beachfront to the club. Looks perfect location.
38 boats as of February 23rd. Would love to get to 45 by February 28. So...
Any entry that signs up and pays between February 23rd-February 28th will have a six pack of beer for them at the check in desk at the regatta: http://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=2996
I promise it will be really good beer, not just good beer like Natty Lite.
Don't forget about the pre event: Marlow Ropes Viper 640 NAC Warm Up Regatta
http://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=4085
Craig
I need to enter twice
at 46 today. If we break Fifty by midnight may end up being really good beer ... in bottles.
Dang it, just got Beardsley'd again! See the gang down there, who wants to split a mansion?
51 entries in February......This is going to be epic!!!!!
Another lodging partner welcomes you to Fort Walton Beach for the Viper 640 North American Championships:
The Breakers on Okaloosa Island (www.breakersfwb.com ) , just a short drive from Fort Walton Yacht Club has provided a lodging special. See attached.
We just booked @ The Breakers... ;)
We are extremely pleased to announce that The Beacon Group ( http://www.beacongroupconsulting.com/ ) has stepped forward to become Title Sponsor for the 2017 Beacon Group Viper 640 North American Championship. Stay tuned for a more formal press release in the near future. The team at The Beacon group is excited to have partnered with the Viper 640 Class Association for such an amazing event.
A little about Fort Walton Yacht Club Fleet Captain and 2017 Viper Championships Committee Member Linda Wright (also a former Viper owner):
http://www.wetamarine.com/news-and-events/everglades-challenge-addiction/
March 2nd, 2017
(Portland, ME) – The Beacon Group is proud to announce their partnership with the Viper 640 International Class Association, as the title sponsor of the 2017 Viper 640 North American Championship to be held in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The Beacon Group is a pioneer in the world of growth strategy consulting. For over fifteen years, the firm has provided guidance to Fortune 500 corporations on their global organic and inorganic growth strategies and tactics. With a strict focus on providing clients with actionable growth strategies and tactics, The Beacon Group is committed to achieving top-line growth outputs designed to have a direct impact on their client's profitability. Headquartered in Portland, Maine, The Beacon Group has defined its role as a premier counselor on issues of innovation, disruption, international, adjacent, and emerging market growth.
The Beacon Group's founder, Cliff Farrah, is passionate about three things; his family, his company and sailing. "Top level One Design racing is what I seek, and the Viper 640 Class embodies the wonderful competition of world class professional and Corinthian racing, and a growing, thriving racing community. I'm particularly excited but the recent recognition as a World Class by World Sailing, the international governing body of the sport of sailing. We are proud to serve as the title sponsor for what promises to be the largest gathering of Viper 640 sailboats in the world. We look forward to being a part of this great event."
For more information about the 2017 Beacon Group Viper 640 North American Championship visit the event website at the Yacht Scoring website: https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=2996.
Now at 59 entries...who will be the legendary 60th?
Quote from: Peter Beardsley on March 09, 2017, 10:26:21 AM
Now at 59 entries...who will be the legendary 60th?
That didn't take long. Josh Vogel and team on Viper 30 are the 60th entry. The boat is still in pieces being refurbished at Whitecap and they STILL are making plans to go to Ft. Walton. What's your excuse for not signing up?
Quote from: Peter Beardsley on March 09, 2017, 10:44:19 AM
Quote from: Peter Beardsley on March 09, 2017, 10:26:21 AM
Now at 59 entries...who will be the legendary 60th?
That didn't take long. Josh Vogel and team on Viper 30 are the 60th entry. The boat is still in pieces being refurbished at Whitecap and they STILL are making plans to go to Ft. Walton. What's your excuse for not signing up?
As a class service, we could start providing the top 10 excuses for not coming to Fort Walton, then members can select the appropriate excuse:-
#10. It sounds like too much fun.
#9. I am a responsible adult. I have never had a speeding ticket. I have never been intoxicated. I prefer to stay out of the sun. I live in the suburbs, with a 9-5 job and have never taken my vacation allowance. I don't like loud music of any kind. My favorite show is Antique Roadshow. I just don't think I would fit in.
#8. Tim Carter might be there. (Fair enough, hard to argue with that)
#7.........etc.
Hello all Viper sailors!
We are at 63 early entries for the 2017 Beacon Group Viper North American Championship. This is a record for the Viper Class, and we hope to hit over seventy in the coming months. This is a reminder to get your early entry fees in before the end of April deadline for early entry discounts. Please check your status at: https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=2996 and complete payment processing please.
Also keep in mind the pre-event, 2017 Marlow Ropes Viper 640 NAC Warmup Regatta : https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=4085
We are organizing a North Sails Viper Clinic For Tuesday, October 24th. The only fee to register for the clinic is a smile.
Two more sponsors stepped up to the plate. We would like to thank SpinSheet Magazine and the Mississippi Brewing Company for joining the 2017 Beacon Group Viper North American Championship team. Thank you.
If you know of anybody on the fence about making the trip to the 2017 Beacon Group Viper 640 North American Championship, please put them in contact with Craig and Debora at
[email protected] to see what they can do to help the fence sitters.
Dont Forget Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/Viper640NorthAmericanChampionships
This is going to be GREAT!
Thank you,
The 2017 Beacon Group Viper 640 North American Championship Committee
Hello all Viper sailors.
With the enthusiasim and even more entries into the 2017 Beacon Group Viper 640 North American Championship, the early registration deadline has been extended to May 13. https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=2996
Lets get to 70 boats!
See ya'll soon.
2017 Beacon Group Viper 640 North American Championship Committee
Hello everyone.
As of May 9th we are up to 68 entries for the 2017 Beacon Group Viper 640 North American Championships to be held in October. With all the enthusiasm we have extended the early discount to this coming weekend.
We have three teams looking or boats to charter for the event. If you are unable to make this massive Viper gathering, maybe you can help fulfill the dreams of others who are trying to make it. If you have the abilityy to charter your Viper for the 2017 NACs, please contact Craig at
[email protected]If we can get up to 70 entries by this Friday night May 12th, we are willing to extend the early entry discount another two weeks.
Lets try to get to 80?...........
NAC's :https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm
Pre-Event: https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=4085
Now up to 72 Vipers. Should be fun.
Rabbit Starts?...= No Gen. Recalls.
Been busy ya'll. we are now up to 73 entries. We are being told to expect at least four more entries in the coming weeks.
We are also looking for at least five charter boats for some international teams. We may have some GYA area clubs looking for used boats after the chartering (if chartering becomes available). So if you are near the southeast, and you have a boat for sale and are not sailing the event, we may be able to charter it out for you and maybe sell it as well. Private message me if you think that may work for you.
This event very well might hit 80 boats.
Gonna be one helluva event.
Craig
Quote from: Justin Scott on January 30, 2017, 08:06:09 AM
Tim Dunton?
Tim Dunton from Alabama and the sceptered isle?
The Tim Dunton with the massive Vipermobile and the Viperettes at St Pete NOOD all those years ago?
One and the same !!! Recovered from lead poisoning.
Viper Mobile is now larger but probably not making the Trip this time. Viperettes are largely Married and away. Looking forward to it. Message me some time would love to catch up
Tim
Another lodging partner for the Beacon Group Viper North American Championships...
The Hampton Inn on Okaloosa Island
See attached...
Thank you , Beach Liquors, for signing up as a Silver Sponsor for the 2017 Beacon Group Viper 640 North American Championships. Beach Liquors is real close by to the Fort Walton Yacht Club, and for those of you staying in Destin or Okaloosa Island for the event, you will be passing by Beach Liquors each day. : http://www.beachliquors.net/
Speaking of Okaloosa Island, Lodging Sponsor Seaspray Condominiums still has some units available, ask for the Viper North American Championship special: http://www.seaspraycondos.com/Content/default.asp
Any idea if rollers for the spinnakers will be allowed?
From the 2017 Beacon Group Viper 640 North American Championship event:
Hello all Viper Sailors.
The 2017 Beacon Group Viper 640 North American Championships is still at over 70 boats on the line after early dropouts. We are in our final planning and organizational stages so if you have not paid up, please do so quickly, if you need to drop out (but you better have a damn good reason to) let us know soon. Some teams that have dropped out have given thier spot or boat to other teams, and we have been able to edit the entry to reflect such changes. So to entice ya'll, if we can get eighty boats on the line, the last ten place boats,71-80 that actualy sail, will be given a bottle of rum, courtesy of Craig and Deborah, after the event is over.
There will be awards given to the top three Corinthian teams for the Championships. To be eligible for the Corninthian awards, the boat must have all Cat 1 sailors on board. So we are asking all teams to register their sailors as either Cat 1 or Cat 3 to verify teams. Please go to the World Sailing (formerly ISAF) here to get your individual sailor classification: http://members.sailing.org/classification/?view=home&nocache=1&js=1 .
The team at Doyle Boston Sailmakers have signed on as Bronze Sponsor to have some giveways for some lucky sailors. Word is that Doyle Boston Sailmakers will be giving away two Doyle spinnaker snuffer socks on a drawing.
Speaking of drawings, if any of you have a lead or a contact for a company that mya want to donate a product for a drawing, please contact Craig directly at
[email protected]Info on Bow stickers. Right now the bow stickers are planned to be 11"x23". This is prior to cut so sizing may change. The bow number will be included on the bow sticker. So any colored hulls will not have an issue with visible bow numbers. Keep that in mind when the black flag goes up.
We will be emailing all competitors on a more frequent basis during the next few weeks, so stay tuned.
Weee haaa!
Craig Wilusz/Event Chair
From the 2017 Beacon Group Viper 640 North American Championship event:
Hello, all Viper Sailors.
Time is getting close. The Bow Numbers are printed and ready to be assigned. If you have a bow number already affixed to you boat, please Email Craig at
[email protected] so the organiziers can do their best to match up bow number stickers with pre-exisitng bow numbers.
If you have not paid your entry fee, please do so soon.
If you are having crew or logisticsa issues, please email
[email protected] to see what he can do to help.
This is gonna be big!
Craig
Update Post Nate:
Hi everyone. Good news! Hurricane Nate blew through the Fort Walton Yacht Club local area without blowing anything down, up, or over. The club is really looking forward to hosting all the Viper sailors coming in town in a couple of weeks.
Below is a copy from today's update from the 2017 Beacon Group Viper North American Championships Committee:
From the 2017 Beacon Group Viper 640 North American Championship event:
Hello, all Viper sailors. Here is a communication update from the organiziner of the 2017 Beacon group Viper 640 North American Championships.
1) Fort Walton Yacht Club and the local area survived Hurricanne Nate with zero damage or issues.
2) An ammendum to the NOR will be coming out changing the skippers meeting time from Wednesday 930am to Tuesday 715pm
3) The Race committee is planning to use the "R" or "Romeo" flag to indicate that another race will be sailed. This will be addressed as the ski[ppers meeting for any clarification needed. This way , the RC can focus on scoring, lines, marks, etc. If you see Romero Flag up, be prepared to race again.
4) Please familiarize yourself with the "Boat Inspection and Safety Checklist Form" in the Eventt Douments on the Yacht Scoring event page. Folks that arrive early for the event be it Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday are encouraged to locate Craig Wilusz to go through the boat inspection and safety checklist early. There will be Viper 640 Class Representives that can complete the form and process ahead of time, with your help, to expidite the entire process.
5) If you have new sails or planning on sailing the event with older sails, please be sure that your sails have the required sail buttons. Details can be found here: http://www.viper640.org/technical/rules/sail-button-purchase-and-how-to-register-sails/
6) If you plan on competiting for the Corinthian awards, please be sure to register your crew as the appropraite ISAF Cat 1 or 3 status. Only teams that have all Cat 1 sailors onboard that have regestered as such will be eligible for the Corinthian awards per the NOR: 4.4. Verification of All Crew and All Skippers of ISAF Category Level 1 or 3. Skipper and Crew can register with World Sailing at http://members.sailing.org/sailors/profile.php. 4.5. Teams wishing to compete for the top Corinthian boat prize shall complete the Corinthian team input on the Yacht Scoring website by 2200 Monday October 16, 2017. 4.6. A complete list of Corinthian teams will appear on the event website by 2000 Tuesday October 24, 2017.
7) After attrition, and Hurricane Irma we are now at 64 Teams, with a few teams that have still not paid their entry fee. A seperate email will go out to those teams to remind them to pay the required registration fees. If you know of any teams that have may be on the fence about coming to the event, let Craig Wilusz know as there are some sailors looking to crew. Contact Craig at
[email protected] if you are aware of a team looking for crew.
See you all soon.
Craig Wilusz, 2017 Beacon Group Viper 640 North American Championship Chair
Hello all Viper sailors.
We are getting closer and closer to regatta time for the 2017 Beacon Group Viper 640 North American Championships. We are now working on all the data, so please be sure to get all your information in. If you want ot be eligible for the Corinthian Awards, be sure to get your skippers and crews get thier ISAF/World Sailing Sailor ID and their ISAF Cat 1 or Cat 3. We are verifing sailors already via the weblinks.
Details can be found here, and it is free : http://www.sailing.org/sailors/isafsailor/index.php
The following teams have completeed thier crew and skipper lists with ISAF Sailor ID and Cat 1 status for whole team: Atheris (AUS278), Black Sheep (CAN194), Boomslang (USA247), Dangernoodle (USA257), Entourage (USA260), Great Scott! (USA269) King Cobra (USA256), Last Call (USA276), Mo'Grins (USA208), Neal, Russel, Henry (USA227), Oshunmare (CAN211), Southern (USA250). These teams currently are eleigible for Corinthian Awards.
Craig
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS
Of the North American Viper 640 Class
NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Members of the North American Viper 640 Class (the "Class") is called for and will be held at the Fort Walton Yacht Club, 180 Ferry Road NE, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, on the 26th day of October, 2017, at the hour of 8:00 pm (CST) for the following purposes:
1. Carry out a Roll Call of Fleets and receive the Minutes of the last meeting
2. To receive the reports of the Executive Committee
Presidents Report
Regional VP's Reports (Great Lakes, North-East, South and West)
Treasurer's Report
Report from the Technical Committee
3. Discussion on Class Dues
4. To carry outany other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.
Note as the term of the current Executive is 2 years there are no elections of officers to be held in 2017.
On behalf of the Executive Committee:
Steve Chapman
President
October 15, 2017
Well hello to all the lucky Viper 640 entrants to the North Americans in Fort Walton.....
Unfortunately do to a medical emergency and not being able to leave New Orlean I will not be attending this years event...
I have three rooms I am going to cancel not 5 minutes from the event at AUNT MARTHA'S BED AND BREAKFAST (if you are taking your wife or girlfriend you will score points especially if you are early enough to get the IVY room)...
Please feel free to call me at 504-452-6306 as I will wait till the end of the day today to cancel the rooms and woudl so like to pass them on to someone at the event... Great rooms...great breakfast, great place to relax after a day of racing .... http://www.auntmarthasbedandbreakfast.com/
I am sorry some of you will have one less person to pass....see ya at some of the other events soon I hope....
Macho
AKA BAD DOG
Here is the Viper 640 Safety and Equipment Check List each boat will need to review with the Technical Committee before sailing.
Boats have been rolling in for the past few days. The regatta peaked at 77 entries. Of course the usual attrition began, after Irma, Maria, life, work etc. Looking like 58-60 Vipers on the line for the big event this week. The Marlow Ropes Warm Up regatta on Sunday had over 20 Vipers out blasting around in 15-24 knots throughout an incredible Sunday afternoon. Monday found lots of Vipers going through the measurement/inspection process. North Sails had a free one day Viper Seminar on Monday as well. The Fort Walton Yacht Club manager came in on his day off to open up the bar in the afternoon for the sailors to partake in some adult beverages. A few brand new Vipers were sold and came in containers just in time for the 2017 Beacon Group Viper 640 North American Championships. The Aussies shipped over four Vipers and have somehow taken over the key to the trophy cabinet in the bar. An inflatable 'Roo and the Australian National Flag have found a home behind some silver.
Results are up after Day One. https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=2996
Four Races, North breeze, quite shifty, breeze strength up and down from great planning conditions to low soaking deep with the chute up.
Lots of video and photos on the event Facebook page : www.facebook.com/Viper640NorthAmericanChampionships/
Local Newspaper:
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20171025/large-sailing-fleet-competes-for-national-championship-video-photos
Video Link:
https://vimeo.com/239988904?outro=1&ref=fb-share
We are getting video links and pic on the Fort Walton Yacht Club Facebook page, and posting some of the vids and pic links in the sportboat forums
Sailing Scuttlebutt article
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2017/10/25/early-lead-eagan-viper-640-north-americans/
I hope everyone made it home safe and sound after the Fort Walton NA's.
A big thanks to Craig, Deb, and the whole Fort Walton Yacht Club team. You guys put on a great show and were fantastic hosts.
For those I didn't get a chance to talk to, I hope to see you all in Kingston July 2018 for the next NA's. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions. The information will be coming shortly so keep your eyes open.
Finally, congratulations to Cajun Underwriting, Jackpot, and Choppy Seas for their Gold, Silver, and Bronze. And congratulations to Mo' Grins, 'Merica, and Southern for their Gold, Silver, and Bronze in the Corinthian fleet. I hope you all will be back to defend in 2018.
Cheers!
Darren
BEACON GROUP VIPER 640 NORTH AMERICANS – THE BACK STORY
You have probably seen the real-time coverage of the Beacon Group 2017 Viper 640 North American Championship and grinned in admiration at what you saw presented by Petey Crawford from Penalty Box Productions. Great weather, great sailing, lots of boats...and one heck of a good time was had by all.
Ft. Walton Yacht Club had been planning this event for well over a year and their crack team of over 60 club volunteers allowed this largest ever Viper regatta to run like a Swiss watch. From welcoming the early arrivals on the first weekend and Sunday pre-event, to the staging of boats in the boat park,toconvincing members to move their boats out of slips for the week so the Vipers could use them, Ft. Walton Yacht Club treated the class to a world class event wrapped in the arms of gracious southern hospitality.
In addition to the planning and volunteerism, FWYC member Cliff Farrah stepped-up with his Beacon Group to help underwrite the event. In addition, the Committee arranged attractively priced hotels and housing in the Emerald Coast neighborhood. Here on the Emerald Coast, there were restaurants galore, friends old and new, nightlife within and outside the club every night. This eventcertainly exceeded the Viper Class' "Garage Band of Sailing" fun meter standards.Hey, what other class would task the skipper who was leading in the standings to referee a midget wrestling tournament?https://www.beacongroupconsulting.com/
And then there was Sam Vasquez representing Gulfport Yacht Club. Not only did Sam bring beer from his Mississippi Brewing Company, but he brought as crew three teenage 420 sailors from GYC. The quartettook turns driving and rotating through all the positions on the boat. PeteyCrawford interviewed the juniors and they, to a sailor, gushed with excitement at being able to race a Viper in this level of an event. https://www.facebook.com/Viper640NorthAmericanChampionships/. In fact, one of the juniors said he couldn't wait, "to get my own Viper so I can go out in thump Sam!" All in fun, all in the spirit of Viperdom, and perhaps the beginning of the next gen of Viperers.
To some extent, the Beacon Group NAs was a Viper love fest. Boats came from across North America (Geoff Fargo from Santa Barbara, CA, received recognition for traveling the furthest in North American to attend). Ted the Roo (Perth, Australia), the inflatable kangaroo, was deemed to have traveled furthest in the world. Dave Nickerson received both the Masters award for top placing skipper over 50 and top Corinthian team trophy. But it was a comment from Mary Ewenson (Annapolis, MD) that best summed up the Championship: "There are a lot of great boats to sail these days,but there aren't many fleets with whom I'd want to spend a week! We've made great friends in the class!"
FWYC Letter Log, the Fort Walton YC newsletter, has some articles about the 2017 Beacon Group Viper 640 NAC's
Online reader can be found here:
https://view.joomag.com/fwyc-letter-log-november-2017/0938881001509743429?short
Here's a quick video from 2017 NA's from Black Sheep.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqnzDNnVS-4