The "Nobody Paid to sail" rule. It really is that simple

[Justin Scott]

In answer to a question asked elsewhere:

We get asked from time to time if Cat 3 sailors are prohibited from joining in Viper racing?

The answer is NO.

Cat 3 pro sailors are welcome to participate in Viper racing as long as they are not paid. They are welcome....come and race in the Viper for fun with friends.


10.2 states that "nobody can be paid" to  race in a Viper.   

That short rule is the fundamental Corinthian rule of the Viper class. It is simple and easy to apply.  You don't have debates about Cat 3 definitions or Cat 1 eligibility.  It applies to 99.9% of Viper racing. (There are two exceptions which I will come to later.)

Our "nobody paid to sail" rule is a much better approach than the classes which insist on amateur helms and allow the crew to be pro.  The Melges 20 allows Cat 1 (amateur) drivers but you can pay the crew.......and boy do they pay the crews. Its expensive and you dont get to race against any friends who happen to be Cat 3. The Viper class allows anyone to sail, except nobody can be paid. You cannot pay your crew and you cannot be paid to crew.

As a result, this is the class where a pro sailor can come to sail for fun. Offhand I can think of pro sailors who own Vipers and another half dozen pros who crew in the class with their friends. The podium always includes a lot of talented amateur sailors and when a pro wins, everyone congratulates him/her as they would any other friend......because they are here "off duty" and having fun.


The rules then provide for two obvious exceptions in 10.3 and 10.4.  In 10.3 we provide for the class to allow Vipers to be used in a professional regatta.  It is rare, but we were once asked by a car manufacturer if they could use the Viper platform to host a pro' regatta with paid sailors. We don't want to say "no" to opportunities to promote the class like this. So our rules allow for this to be approved subject to a class process.  10.4 is the mirror image of 10.3 and allows someone to host an all amateur event (again, there could be some obvious examples).  Regatta organizers cannot unilaterally either allow paid pros  or disallow unpaid pros, because a Pro or an Amateur regatta has to be approved by the Class exec. 

So again, the governing rule for Viper racing is "nobody paid to sail".  Its really that simple.


Cummon Jimmy and Terry, escape the stress. Come and rediscover the joys of sailboat racing with a few mates.

[Chris Shaughnessy]

And what about when these very pro looking M32 teams were showing up a few years ago - we were to believe that while the boys were paid lots to race regularly on the 32 they came along 'just for fun' in the viper for free ? Its a tricky problem but lets not pretend its all that simple.

[Justin Scott]

Chris raises a fair question but
Viperers are a small family so I want to make sure that we dont bruise any feelings.

There are 5 Melges 32 owners in the class .

One runs a very professional well oiled M32 program but sails his Viper with friends and the college sweetheart that he married. Really sporting to race against and good sailors.

One is The Call. Nuff said. They are Category 7 and trained in the Quarter!  

One sails with the Cat 1 (amateur) regulars from his M32. They were outsanding college sailors but they have real regular jobs and sail, like us, in their spare time. Its a well oiled machine and it doesn't hurt that the owner was an AA himself. One of the crew is looking for a good deal on a used Viper. Always first to stand a round at the bar.

The fourth is our fleets seniormost member...and I hope we all have as much youth and vigor as he does.  

One brought his payroll crew with him last year and I believe was quietly spoken to.


These pro/am situations will occur from time to time. I hope that Viper owners will find ways of straightening them out firmly but with our usual spirit of good fellowship and directness.