Seeking Viper experience 4up with kids.

JonDouglas · January 15, 2024, 09:41:53 PM

We are looking for a sporty boat to race in Milwaukee on Lake Michigan. Our club has a fleet of 4 VX Ones that race. Ideally we would add to the fleet and get a VX one. However, I have 3 kids, ages 16,14,and 10 and we would like to race together. I think the VX one is a bit to small for 4. Given that Viper is a little bigger, do you feel we could be comfortable sailing with 4? Is there a place for my 10 year old to sit out of the way when things get busy?

Darren Gilbert · January 16, 2024, 10:26:38 AM

You mean, kind of like this?

That's me, my brother, and 2 of his kids

Peter Beardsley · January 16, 2024, 01:04:58 PM

I wrote a detailed article about this several years ago - check it out: https://forum.viper640.org/sailing-handling-tips-and-techniques/sailing-4-up/

In summary: amazing 3-up boat, still a pretty good boat 4-up (and you see 4-up teams at regattas frequently).

JonDouglas · January 17, 2024, 09:53:00 AM

Thanks for the resources. So is there place for my 10 year old "Wedge in" while my 2 other kids and I sail the boat? My son is just starting sailing in an Opti last Summer and is not quite ready to be an active member of the crew. My two daughters are active 420 sailors and want something "less boring", so I think the 3 of can run the boat. As far as weight is concerned, the 4 of us will still only be at 500lbs crew weight. Would this be an issue?

Peter Beardsley · January 19, 2024, 02:08:57 PM

500 lbs is fine. In breeze you may wish you were heavier, but at the most recent Sarasota event, Day 1 was in 15-20 kts of breeze and stiff chop, and after Day 1, the first and second place teams were 510 and 520 pounds. Plenty of room for a 10-year old who is still learning the ropes - when I've sailed with a 10-year old previously, we made that person in charge of the sprit downwind and knowing where the marks were upwind and downwind (i.e., navigator) while teaching the basics of traffic management. Worked fine.

Matt Rowlinson · January 22, 2024, 11:33:55 AM

Quote from: JonDouglas on January 17, 2024, 09:53:00 AMThanks for the resources. So is there place for my 10 year old "Wedge in" while my 2 other kids and I sail the boat? My son is just starting sailing in an Opti last Summer and is not quite ready to be an active member of the crew. My two daughters are active 420 sailors and want something "less boring", so I think the 3 of can run the boat. As far as weight is concerned, the 4 of us will still only be at 500lbs crew weight. Would this be an issue?

Your son will have a blast. Put him right in front of you; first day out the lesson is *always* have your feet in the hiking straps--there's not a lot to hold on to. next thing you know as Peter says he will be running the sprit line and telling you which way to go.

Jason Hyerstay · January 29, 2024, 01:08:26 PM

You may also want to install a hiking line for anyone not holding a sheet. I use a loop tied to the lifting points.

JonDouglas · January 31, 2024, 12:54:44 PM

Ok, I'm sold. Anyone know of boats for sale near Wisconsin? We will also be driving to Punta Gorda, FL for Spring break. I see there is a lot of activity in Sarasota. Any boats there?

Peter Beardsley · February 02, 2024, 12:29:17 PM

Not sure if # 127 (based out of the Detroit area) is still for sale - they were talking about getting a newer Viper but only if they sold 127 first. 127 didn't have a ton of miles on it and they just did some keel work on the boat and were going really well at the January Sarasota event - that would probably be the right boat at the right price point unless you wanted a newer boat on Day 1 - just depends on how much you want to spend. Feel free to drop me a line at wpbeardsley at [gmail] [dot] [com]