Reviews of the Viper
"Make no mistake about it; the Viper 640 is a fast and exciting ride." - Sailing Anarchy 2/07/06
“The Viper 640 was our unanimous choice as Sailing World's Overall Boat of the Year and top Performance One-Design ” - Betsy Allison and the Sailing World panel of judges. Read full review in Sailing World.
“It handles a lot like a dinghy but its not a dinghy… I don't think you can call it a keelboat. Its something in between....its fast, comfortable to sail and well balanced. Upwind, the boat's fine bow slices through the water. Downwind, it gets up and planes.” - Paul Bieker. Read full review in 48 North Magazine Description and Technical SpecificationsLength Overall Length Wtrlne | 6.40 m 21' 1" 19' 1' | | Beam | 8' 2" | | Displacement- | 340 kilo 749lbs | | Ballast | Lifting Bulb Keel. 123 kilo 271lbs (including 220 lb bulb) | | Draft | 4' 6" with keel down. 1' 10' with keel up. (keel is bolted down while sailing per class rules) | | Sail Area | Main/Jib 252 sq ft Spinnaker 425 sq ft | | Mast | Carbon | | Handicap | PHRF 111 US Sailing Portsmouth Yardstick 70.4 | | Designer | Brian Bennett, Kiwi Yacht Design | | Builder | Rondar Race Boats | | Crew | 3 or 2. Typical competitive crew is three people and a weight of 500 to 580lbs | | For More Info | Scroll Down the page |
Performance:- An Uncompromising Race Boat - Fine entry, long narrow bow and pronounced cross sectional flare in the midsection results in unusually low drag.
- Bulb keel and wide flared beam at the cockpit provides superior stability and enables a more powerful sail plan.
- The combination of fine entry, low drag, and powerful sail plan make the Viper incomparable in light air or chop. The Viper will start planing before any similar class (SB3, Open 5.70, K6, U20, Melges 24 etc).
- The combination of wide cockpit, superior stability and a sturdy carbon mast make the Viper fast and secure in a big breeze.
- The hull shape means that the Viper does not go 'bow down' planing downwind at high speeds.
Ease of Sailing:- Design Philosophy of “ Simple, Clean and Effective” - Wide rounded decks means no droop hiking. The most comfortable boat in its class.
- Clean ergonomic cockpit layout means no unnecessary lines.
- Gnav (compression vang) creates more space for the crew.
- Asymmetrical spinnaker set and retrieved from a bow launcher
- The design emphasis was on simple and effective. "Sheet in and go".
- The Viper is accessible to a wide range of sailing skills.
- Typical overall crew weight (500-580lbs) allows a good combination of different crew weights. The light sheet loads make it easy for women and kids to crew.
Safety:- #1 Priority - Combination of carbon mast and 220lb keel bulb (adopted by class in 2006) ensures that the Viper passes the stringent “self righting” test in the European Recreational Craft Directive and the international stability and bouyancy standard ISO 12217.
- Internal Buoyancy in the carbon mast to help avoid turtling
- Built in safety lines under the gunwhale to prevent losing MOB.
- Self bailing open transom. Closed cell, foam core hull provides positive flotation.
Launching/Transport:- Anywhere, Any Tide - 3 point clip on bridle - easy launch from the hoist. Custom trailer- easy launch from ramp.
- Lightweight carbon mast is easily stepped by one person.
- Keel is easily lifted using purchase attached to halyard or mast tang - No crane or device needed from shore. Hoist the keel as you sail into the ramp.
- 1100 lb all up weight of boat,trailer sails and gear - Towable by any passenger car
- Sits at waist level on trailer due to lifting keel – no need for ladders
Construction and Cost:- High Tech’ build quality at price directly from builder - Light weight and super stiff due to vacuum bagged vinylester closed cell foam sandwich construction, + post cure oven baked. Ronstan top of the line hardware. Carbon mast.
- Base Boat cost of $25,000. Race Ready, including carbon mast, sails, trailer, covers, compass, delivery and taxes approx $30,000
- No license fees, no royalties, no distributor margins. Buy the boat directly from the builder using molds owned by the Class Association.
- Used Bennett and Race One Boats are c$10k to $18k.
Designer's Remarks
"The Viper 640 is a 2 to 4 person, high-performance sports boat. The open transom bails water instantly, even in extreme conditions. The Viper is simple, clean, and effective, with no protruding hardware and everything placed for efficiency. The Viper is light enough to be towed behind a compact car and simple enough to be rigged and sailed in under a half hour. The boat can be launched from a hoist or ramp. The 640 is strict one-design with no changes permitted to the factory supplied boat. The only option is sails, strictly controlled through class rules, which encourages the development of tuning techniques with the help of the best sailors and sailmakers."
Designer: Brian Bennett
Quotes
“The Viper 640 is still one of the most fun boats I have ever sailed.” - Phil Crebbin Americas Cup skipper, 470 Olympian and Viper 640 skipper “ The Viper has a terrific feel on the helm and it is one of the best designed one-design keelboats available today.” - Dave Curtis, Six time Etchell world champion and Viper 640 owner
“The ultimate tactical one-design.” - Brian Bennett Kiwi Yacht Design Associates “My wife drives, my son crews and I do tactics.” - JB Braun, FD Olympian, Viper 640 North American champion, Mumm 30 North American champion & BMW/Oracle Americas Cup principle sail designer. “The Viper is totally up to date in hull geometry and rig.” - Bob Perry, Read full review at Perry Yacht Design.
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The Viper 640