Southern YC Demo Days report (May 23&24)

[Craig Wilusz]

Another successful Demo Day Weekend was held at Southern Yacht Club's Juby Wynne Regatta.  Overall we had a total 49 sailors of all experience levels out on two Vipers.  Lots of smiles, and lots of interest.  Some of the used boat listings should be expecting some interest after this weekend for sure. 

Some highlights include...
One run with four Opti Sailors, flying along on a plane, with one Opti sailor trimming main, and another Opti sailor learning how to trim the kite on a plane.  One wipe out was had with the four youth on board, and not capsizing made their day, with three of the girl sailors chanting "we didn't flip" while clapping their hands. 

Another run with SIX Opti sailors on board with Craig & Kip. Kip gaining a new nickname from the youth group as "Kipels".  The EIGHT of us sailed out into the Lake, turned, popped the lime green spinnaker and went tearing down the Lake on a monster plane in the 20+knot breeze. Pic of that group attached.

One run with a new to sailing female, her first time on the helm using a tiller extension, and first time ever sailing with any kind of spinnaker. Angie was quick on the helm, playing the tiller up and down keeping the boat on a 12 knot plane.  A true natural to the sport, Craig thought he was getting played, but sure enough, Angie is learning to sail.  She had a ball.

Overall, it was successful.  Many of the Melges 24 sailors really enjoyed the Viper 640.  A couple that recently moved back to the NO area from Dallas, reserved a demo sail online.  The wife was able to raise and weather drop the A-kite all on her own, never having done it before.  That was in 15-18knots true.

Craig and Deborah finally got some alone time on the Viper sailing double handed in the bigger breeze Sunday (over 20knots true at times with bigger puffs).  Sailing out on the J22, Melges 24, and VX course.  They had a very controllable day, popping the chute and gybing down the course with ease, while a VX had to be rescued and towed in. 

The weekend was such a success that the two Viper 640's are being held at SYC this week for the M24 teams to sail in the Wednesday night series at SYC.  Friday night twilight series will find more demo sails being sailed.  A  special women's day on the Viper 640 is being arranged for next weekend at Southern YC.  Youth sailors have asked for more demo rides next weekend as well. 

Stay tuned for the next scheduled Viper 640 Demo Days coming to Pontchartrain YC in two weeks. 

Craig and Deborah
www.gulfperformancesailing.com
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[John Leyland]

Awesome!!!! Well done.

[Dave Nickerson]

Great photo of all the Opti kids.  Have one with them and the chute up?

[Peter Beardsley]

Great job guys, keep it up!!

[Dan Tucker]

If you want to have add much fun as Craig, come on down! See the current schedule at www.vipersforgya.com/demo-schedule

Let Craig or I know, it's a lot of fun, and we could use your help.