Age

[Robert Durrell]

Fleet,  I am planning on getting back into the Viper 640 fleet but I am waiting on my youngest (he will be 5 in November 2019) to catch up.  My 4yo took to the Opti faster than my 8yo, and my 8yo is ready for the Opti Green Fleet, and possibly light air driving of a Viper 640 (with coaching).  What is the youngest age any of you have had your kids on the Viper 640 in a regatta?

[Fletcher]

Sounds like you have a solid crew of little viper sailors! I've had my 3yr old and 7yr old on the viper for cruising around in lighter air, but we're still a ways from being ready for racing. I've seen some younger kids maybe 9 or 10 as a 4th crew at regattas. That was in lighter to moderate conditions, but still quite awesome for a kid that age!

[Peter Beardsley]

Barry and Sue Parkin did a regatta with 5 year old son Freddie back in 2012. That kid is now a pretty good junior sailor at the international level. James Owen started racing with me and Dave Owen when he was 8 as regular crew back in 2011 and is still out there every weekend when homework doesn't get in the way.

[Justin Scott]

The spinnaker throat in the bow comes in handy with young kids!

[Darren Gilbert]

I hope to get my 4 year old out this summer.  She's really interested in sailing but hasn't been on the water yet.  Being a big Moana fan helps!

I'm hoping to get her into an opti this summer too.

[Peter Beardsley]

I hope to get my 4 year old out this summer.  She's really interested in sailing but hasn't been on the water yet.  Being a big Moana fan helps!

I'm hoping to get her into an opti this summer too.

Opti is a big step for a 4-year old unless you're planning on wedging yourself in the boat with her, or unless you just want to tow the boat around with no sail in it so that she can see how the rudder and tiller work.  Viper is a bit easier for taking the kid along for a ride as long as the kid has a safe place to hang out during launching / hauling. 

[Robert Durrell]

Fleet, 

Thank you for all the replies and comments concerning kids & Vipers.  I am looking at a few hulls right now and hope to be back on a Viper next season.  My crew may be our Opti coach, out 9yo Opti Sailor (and if we can get my 6yo off his Opti and on the Viper you might see him out there too). 

Again, thank you!

Robert