Registration now open - Viper racing Mar. 5-7 for the EFG Pan American Championship, not counting the EFG Winter Cup Mar. 1-2. Easy transport from Sarasota if you want to tune up in Florida at a few events beforehand. http://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=1222
Myasasaur is registered. Looking forward to it, expect for Justin's influence on Deborah's shopping the booths.
12 Vipers registered already, good start.
Now up to 15 entries. Outpacing even the Stars for now, which won't last forever, but it's fun to see. Also a sign that this may be shaping up to be the largest Miami turnout ever if anyone is on the fence about going. 4.5 months to pull together logistics, plenty of time. 3 days of Pan American Championship, 2 days of EFG Winter Cup = at minimum 5 days of racing over the week, not counting The Scorch or any Sarasota racing earlier in the winter.
Falling gas prices = cheaper Viper shipping via commercial truck to Florida? Quite likely. Start making winter plans.
Hi all,
I'm looking for a charter for these events. I'll be flying in from Bermuda so need delivery or leads on organizing.
Let me know if you have any leads or suggestions, I've had some good times on the water in Miami and looking forward to hitting it again.
- Doug
BER 73
Doug,
I just sent you a message -- email me re: charter options.
23 Vipers now signed up for Miami - still expecting 30-35 on the starting line...
Rumor has it Lee Eikel and the boys (former Last Call) may be looking for a boat.
Craig
31 Vipers now registered for Miami. Another 5-8 still expected to sign up before the end of the month -- room for plenty more of course. We've never had 30+ Vipers signed up for Miami before, so nice work everyone. Should be a fantastic event.
Awesome
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuXxy8cjZQA
34 Vipers now registered thanks to Ben Robbins and his team from Texas. Pretty exciting stuff.
37 Vipers registered...
Hi All,
I will be heading down to Miami for the Winter Cup. My problem is that my crew can't make it until Wednesday. Any other owners with the same problem and want to team up for the event?
Joe H
If anyone wants to save airfare from NY we have room in the hogmobile for one additional person. And we know some good BBQ joints on the route
What Time are you guys leaving? I am driving solo so I could use another driver.
37 Vipers is a terrific turn out. Should be fun and competitive. Leaving Houston 27th and hope
to be in Miami early 28th to rig. May have some lavation near #168 is about.
Looking forward to great week. Still having Scorcher?
Robert, Deborah and I will be there on the 28th as well. Looking forward to seeing ya again.
Hi all,
I'll be picking up my new boat (BER 233) in Miami for the two events there. Then flying out on the Sunday 8 Feb. I need to have the boat trucked to the container port at Fernandina Beach, FL after the event (border of FL/GA), for shipping to Bermuda. I'll also need to have it stashed somewhere for a few days to a week before the shipping date.
At the same time, my brother Jesse is picking up one of the other new boats being raced in Miami (not by him, unfortunately for him), and he'll need the same trucking arrangement.
Questions:
Can any of you recommend a trucker?
Do any of you want to do it? Assuming you are experienced, and paid, obviously.
Any upside to trying to put the two boats on a single flatbed or something like that?
Any other advice? (don't be shy!).
Will be 6 Vipers in Bermuda by May/June, 3 of them brand new!
EFG Viper Class Dinner, Thursday March 5
Peacock Garden Cafe
Coconut Grove
Should be a great evening with over 100 Vipers present - could be the greatest snake pit this year!
Spouses, lovers, friends, supporters also welcome....and don't forget the crew!!
Social event of the winter, so please let me know that you are coming and how many in your crew.
Please send an email to chaponlac at gmail dot com
Steve Chapman
Viper'er'z- I just booked a house not to far from shake-a-leg. Sort of a funky spot - https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/4729756?checkin=03%2F04%2F2015&checkout=03%2F07%2F2015&guests=3&s=kN07
It's huge, and pretty Spartan. So if any of you need a place to crash holler. Probably looking at floor space in the big room but it's really close to the bars. Right now there are seven of us staying so there's probably room for at least three more.
viper640tx at gmail dot com
The Viper 640 invasion of Miami is just a few days away. Here are some updates on the week's events and activities to make it easier for you to finalize your plans: (if you are receiving this message but are NOT planning on sailing in Miami next week, please Reply and let me know.)
EFG VIPER PAN-AM SAIL STICKER PICK-UP
All Vipers will be required to sail with the provided EFG Viper Pan-Am stickers on both sides of their mainsails. I will be bringing the stickers to Miami with me along with mounting instructions and some squeegee-like devices to making applying them better. I will be getting to the US Sailing Center Saturday morning and will be on-site all morning and later in the afternoon. Look for me as I'll be helping rig Wild Hogs with Peter Bauer.
For those of you only doing Bacardi Miami Sailing Week, you will be required to sail with EFG sail stickers and I'll be at the US Sailing Center Wednesday from 12:00 – 2:00 distributing sail stickers. You can also call me on my cell if you can't find me: 914-439-5476.
SPEAKING OF SATURDAY MORNING...
Dan Tucker will be at the US Sailing Center Friday and Saturday morning scrambling to put together four Vipers for teams coming in from the UK and Ireland. If you're done setting-up your boat and have some time, come to the US Sailing Center and give Dan a hand. Thanks.
EFG WINTER CUP
Crew waivers – The online crew waiver option has worked well and we're almost done with this administrative headache. Mat Harden and Andrew Weiss/Byron Lamont have to get their two crewmembers to complete the online waiver. Nick Ward, we've only got Greg Kinney from you boat so your third needs to complete the waiver. Here's the link again: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Winter_Cup_Crew_Waiver
Here is a link to the Winter Cup Sailing Instructions: http://www.viper640.org/events/efg-winter-cup/
YES, IT'S BACK...THE MIAMI SCORCH - Tuesday, March 3
What's the Miami Scorch, you ask? It's a screaming reach across Biscayne Bay from Coral Gables to No Name Harbor on Key Biscayne. This informal race will start at 11:00 at the mouth of the harbor and end by tying-up at the Boater's Grille in the lovely, secluded No Name Harbor.
Some details on the Scorch luncheon: Last year people had everything from burgers to lobsters and that made reconciling the bill at the end of the luncheon a logistical nightmare. It also slowed down service when 60 people all ordered a la carte. This year we're going to have a buffet set-up with all manner of local delicacies priced at about $25 per head plus tax/tip. We'll also have a cash bar to help manage that side of the ledger.
If you or part of your group doesn't want to sail across the Bay, the Boater's Grille can be reached by car, too.
Please click on this link to RSVP for the Scorch. Not a lot of detail needed; just core data to help confirm headcount. The link is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Miami_Scorch_2015
THURSDAY NIGHT VIPER 640 CLASS DINNER – 7:30
Steve Chapman again has planned for a wonderful Class dinner Thursday night at Peacock Garden Café, 2889 McFarlane Road, Coconut Grove. With 120 of your closest Viper friends (ok, competitors) coming, it will be a night to be remembered throughout all of Viperdom. With a little help from our wonderful sponsors, EFG, we will be treated to a sumptuous 3-course meal, two included drinks, and (reportedly) some "local entertainment." Viper fans and family welcome. Cost is $45 per person. After dinner the results from the EFG Winter Cup will be reported and prizes awarded.
To help Steve manage the Peacock Garden's expectations, please e-mail him directly to reserve your seats at the Class Dinner. Send your dinner headcount to Steve at:
[email protected].
SAIL22 ON-SITE SUPPORT
Ed Fury and the team from Sail22, a new Viper distributor, will have a van with all manner of Viper parts and gear in Miami if you need any replacements. Ed reports that he plans to have a range of Viper-specific parts (masts, booms, gudgeons, etc.), as well as line for replacement sheets or halyards, and the standard blocks, cleats, etc. Ed and his team will be located during the week at Miami Shake-a-Leg standing-by to serve whatever needs you may have. If you already know you need something, give Ed a call at 616-304-8312.
CHARLESTON RACE WEEK BOAT STORAGE
There again will be no-cost boat storage available in Charleston for Vipers sailing both Miami and Charleston Race Week. If you're interested in leaving your Viper in Charleston between the two regattas, the details are on the Viper CRW webpage at:
Questions, suggestions, problems? Feel free to e-mail me at
[email protected].
Viper 640 Miami Update #3
EFG Winter Cup Participants
Here is a list of participants in the EFG Winter Cup regatta this coming Sunday/Monday. I will have a complete boat#/boat name/skipper/crew handout at the Competitors' Meeting. BTW, this will be a pretty good regatta with 21 boats.
1. Peter Bauer / Buttons Padin / Doug Lynn
2. Julian Cook / Neil Fulcher / Mike Relling
3. Lawrence Crispin / Luka Crispin / Hector Cisneros
4. Douglas De Couto / Bill McNiven / TBD
5. Peter Denton / Bob Martin
6. Somers Kempe & Butch Agnew / Adam Barboza
7. Robert Salter / Lucy Salter / Carl Matthews
8. Steve Taylor
9. Craig & Deborah Wilusz / Kip "The Tongue" Keelin
10. Peter Broszkowski
11. Steve Chapman
12. Don Faircloth / Troy Cruthirds / Lee Creekmore
13. Ed Furry
14. Matthew Harden / Peter Brigaitis / Tim Kraft
15. Joseph Healey / Doug Slocum / Ben Parker
16. Andrew Kiteley - Nick Ward
17. Robert Matthews / Brendan Larrabee / Michael McClintock
18. Anthony O'Leary / Dan O'Grady / Tom Durcan
19. Sarah Parker / Eddy Parker / Dave Furna
20. Andrew Weiss / Byron LaMotte / Jonathan Asch
21. Robert Williams / Dennis Grounds / Mackensie Mcgukin
If anyone is still looking for crew for Bacardi, I got a note from a fellow named Alexander Lavelle who says he has the chops it takes and would like to crew. Contact him at:
[email protected]Don't forget that if you're in town early, Dan Tucker will need help rigging boats Friday and Saturday at the US Sailing Center. Hey, what's more fun than rigging a new Viper 640?
Miami Scorch – Tuesday, March 3 – Logistics Update
I have been working with the owner of the Boater's Grill on the logistics for Tuesday's Scorch Luncheon in No Name Harbor, Key Biscayne. Here's the deal:
• We need to confirm headcount by Friday so I'll need your input by Thursday night before I take off for Miami. PLEASE click on this link and give me your best guess of the size of your party: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Miami_Scorch_2015
• Payment – We're having a buffet and it will be priced at $25 per person. With tax and tip I suggest you have cash equivalent of $33-35 per person with you when you get to the Boater's Grille. As you get to the buffet, I'll collect the cash per person so I can get the credit card balance erased.
• Cash bar for all drinks.
Should be even more fun than last year's Scorch.
Thursday night's Viper Class Dinner
I just spoke with Steve Chapman and he has only heard from about a third of the boats registered regarding their RSVP for the dinner. Please contact Steve at
[email protected] with your headcount or call him at 404-960-2064. He's currently driving to Florida and as of 1400 ET he was just south of Richmond, VA so he'll be in the car for a while. BTW, this should be a really good party. Don't miss out.
Life after Miami – That would be Charleston Race Week
If you're planning on doing CRW and need a place to leave your boat after Miami, the attached document was provided by Thomas Loutrel regarding storage in Charleston. Apparently Azalea Shipping, the firm that let us store our boats there last year, is not making their facilities available. Here's an alternative.
Questions, comments, suggestions. Let me know. Otherwise PLEASE RSVP.
See you where it's warm,
Buttons
Jeff Jones staying in a Buddhist temple?
Sorry that is just too much irony for one week.
I hoping to see the full shaved hairdo, orange robes and lots of peaceful karma on the race course!
Quote from: Jeff Jones on February 23, 2015, 07:39:23 PM
Viper'er'z- I just booked a house not to far from shake-a-leg. Sort of a funky spot - https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/4729756?checkin=03%2F04%2F2015&checkout=03%2F07%2F2015&guests=3&s=kN07
It's huge, and pretty Spartan. So if any of you need a place to crash holler. Probably looking at floor space in the big room but it's really close to the bars. Right now there are seven of us staying so there's probably room for at least three more.
viper640tx at gmail dot com
Looks like there's some on-the-water reporting happening by Dan Tucker at the EFG Winter Cup via the Viper 640 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Viper640 -- photos and midday updates. Hopefully we'll be able to get these all week.
The Miamiacs got in a good first day of racing today. The Day 1 report is posted at http://www.viper640.org/usa-news/efg-winter-cup-2015/ courtesy Class Administrator Buttons Padin, and preliminary Day 1 results are attached below.
Final Winter Cup results attached with final report posted at http://www.viper640.org/usa-news/efg-winter-cup-2015/
Vipers sink their fangs into Bacardi Miami Sailing Week
Day 1 – March 5, 2015
Thirty four Viper 640 sport boats headed out from Coral Reef Yacht Club Thursday morning for Day 1 of Bacardi Miami Sailing Week sponsored by EFG International. After having sailed the final EFG Pan-American Championship qualifying regatta the previous Sunday and Monday, the EFG Winter Cup, the fleet was primed for an outstanding Bacardi Miami Sailing Week. The first day included four races, sailed in winds ranging from 10 – 16 knots. At the end of the day, Lawrence Crispin from the UK, sailing with his son Luka and Hector Cisneros, stood at the top of the leader board two points ahead of Geoff Ewenson from Annapolis, MD, racing with Lara Dalman-Wiess and Peter O'Learay. Four-time Viper North American Champion Brad Boston, from Sarnia, ON, sailing with Lee Shuckerow and Nick Loudsbury, stood in third place.
The Coral Reef Yacht Club Race Committee headed by PRO Judy Hanlon set 1.1 mile courses in the northern circle in the middle of Biscayne Bay with minimal course resets necessary as the wind direction was constant. Although the races were under an hour in length, the sailors had enough work to do upwind keeping the boats flat and hanging on downwind as some wild reaching rides were enjoyed.
Rounding out the top six boats were last year's EFG Pan-Am Champions Phil and Wendy Lotz sailing with U.S. Olympian Rob Crane, Larchmont Yacht Club's Peter Beardsley with Patrick Slattery and Steve Keen aboard, and Bermuda's Douglas De Couto, Bill McNiven, and Rockel Evans.
With a long day of racing in the books, the Viper fleet met at the Peacock Café Grille for a Mid-Winter fleet dinner including award presentations for the EFG Winter Cup. Organized by Viper Executive Committee member Steve Chapman, over 90 sailors, EFG dignitaries, CRYC Race Committee, and guests enjoyed a gourmet meal while being serenaded by an outstanding jazz quartet.
At the conclusion of the evening, Viper 640 Class Administrator Buttons Padin handed out appreciation awards to EFG's Keith Gapp, for his continued support of the Viper Class Association, as well as to Craig and Deb Wilusz and Don and Tracy Faircloth for their leadership in the Class' Gulf Yachting Association selection campaign. Special recognition was also given to young Lucy Salter, sailing in her father Rob's crew, with Padin noting that Lucy had to obtain special permission to miss a week of high school in the UK.
Day 2
After a rollicking day on the water Thursday, Friday's conditions were very different. The choppy seas flowing from the Southeast were replaced by relatively calm waters allowing the crews to apply light air trim and boat handling techniques. With windward/leeward courses set with 0.8 mile legs, the leader board found the top teams trading places. Phil Lotz and crew did a horizon job on the fleet in the first race with Crispin, Ewenson, and Boston finishing 6, 9 and 8, respectively. In the final race of the day, it was Brad Boston who put on a show winning the race and taking the lead for the regatta.
After six races, reflecting a throw-out score, the regatta and the EFG Pan-American Championship is still far from decided as only one point separates the top three boats: Boston with 13 points and Ewenson and Crispin tied with 14 points. And don't count out Peter Beardsley who sits in fourth with only 16 points or Team Lotz in fifth with 21 points. Tomorrow's conditions are forecast in the 10-12 knot range with three races anticipated.
Results: http://www.yachtscoring.com/event_results_cumulative.cfm?eID=1222
Dan Tucker photos Here: https://www.facebook.com/Viper640/posts/10152666695873021
Thanks to all that made the Bacardi Miami Cup a success again this year! The class is defiantly growing as the major small sport boat out there! We had a great turnout of new and old faces show up to the regatta that had the top boats fighting till the last race to decide the winner..
Jackpot showed up with a new Rondar built boat that was quick right out of the box? We usually upgrade the systems like lines, Cunningham and different purchases that are more for a day cruise than we feel needed to race efficiently. We have done the same upgrades on all the Jackpot's.
It was really nice this year to be working with Ed Furry (Sail22) on duplicating all the upgrades we do and having them supply everything needed with just a phone call we had everything there.. It is going to be really nice having them show up to the major regattas with the big trailer!
See you all at the next regatta
Brad Boston
Jackpot 235
Brad or Ed (if Brad agrees)....It would be great to see what you ordered for your upgrade kit. As a new guy in the class with a new boat (#230) it sure would help to keep me and others like me on the right track. We don't need to see Ed's prices, just your choice of line diameters, lengths, and brands for the various control lines, halyards, additional hardware etc. That would be a great help. We also used Sail22 for some gear we needed on #220 at the regatta. It was very nice having having Ed's trailer on site. The class should support this fellow Viper sailor.
I will work on something more in depth when I have time this weekend. Just arrive home tonight. But here is what we have and what Brad got from us.
Main Sheet - 8mm New England Ropes Endura Braid split tail main - USA 231. Brad brought own.
Jib Sheets - 7mm New England Poly/Tech with eyes on ends - USA 231. Brad used 7mm Alpha Poly Cover/Dyneema Core and tied knots so he can shorten in light air.
Spin Sheets - 7mm New England Poly/Tech with eyes on ends and pig tail - USA 231. Brad had 7mm Alpha Poly Cover/Dyneema core with eyes and pigtail.
Spin Halyard - 5mm FSE Robline Dinghy control - USA 231. Brad used 6mm New England Endura Braid. He didn't tell us bigger was easier on crews hands;)
Main Halyard - 5mm Alpha Poly cover Dyneema SK90 core. Brad had own
Jib Halyard - 6mm Alpha Poly/Tec. Brad had own.
I will get some photos of write up a Blog. There are some things we still need to do but didn't have time. Had to make sure customers came first. Sold lots of jib sheets and Split tail mains. Make a lot of sense. Other little rigging tricks to come plus a price list.
Feel free to make comments. I used some higher end line where I had shorts from other projects. Benefits of being a rigger.
Excited about the class and having fun getting our boat set up for us.
More soon.
We used the Standard main halyard and Jib halyard in Miami. These will change to better line as I cannot tolerate stretch... This just means we are not focusing on the race course if we are chasing the stretch all the time. If we are sailing in light air the halyards are just fine!
I will end up getting the halyards form Ed for the next event.
We (Jackpot) feel it is really important to adjust everything possible from the hiking position, if we keep reaching into the boat for small things like Cunningham the boat is not sailing to its potential.
Ed is going to post a complete list of things we do to make sailing the boat easier from the rail.
Brad
Just ordered some Jibsheets from Sail22. Response via email from Becky was super fast, and they asked qualifying questions. Sail22 is going to be great for the class I feel. Looking forward to seeing the new jib sheets. -C
If they spec a 2:1 job halyard upgrade kit, I will order one.
Jason, the 2:1 jib upgrade was not hard to put in once you have the parts, but there is a small tricky bit to get the bolt through from the inside of the mast. If you're going to come down for the GYA opener, I'd be willing to bring the few tools needed and help you - and anyone else who's there and wants to do the upgrade - put it in.
I'm not a rigger and don't want to take business away from Sail 22 (so happy they're going to bring parts to the regattas!) so please see if they have the "kit" of parts and get the parts needed from them. But if they don't sell such a kit, let me know and I'll post a list of the stuff you'll need to bring.
It would be a long drive from Vermont! :)