Well to add my opinions on the Viper. Finally got on one for near an hour over the weekend in 5 to 8 knots of breeze.

Though I should disclaim that I had been on the A-Cat for 2 hrs training so could have distorted my opinions a little. And I have done an Aussie nationals on a Capricorn so know a bit about its heritage.

Firstly, the weight is ridiculous. Yes the platform is extremely stiff, but the beams, hull volume and the rudders are over-engineered. For me the whole F16 concept from the original days was to have a 16ft boat designed for crews who want a hi-performance boat but don't want the size and weight of an F18, and also are below the 150kg total crew weight for 2-ups so don't need to worry about correctors. I don't think the Viper fits into this concept.

Systems and set-up - taken directly from the Capricorn and tried and proven. It is well set out and all works very well. Of all the F16s, it sets the benchmark here. Only grumble is the new Ronstan ratchets for the mainsheet. Don't like the rope attachments and feel a shackle is better, that is my preference for mainsheet systems. (This is from someone who took their own mainsheet to the A-Cat worlds rather than using the charter one so I would feel comfortable with what I was using).

On the water - tracks in a straight line quite nicely. But if you are this heavy, wouldn't you? Really had to push/pull on the steering, but fortunately it is quite docile. Compared to the Capricorn, it doesn't sit high in the water. Maybe that is a factor of length. But Capricorn felt like it was on top of the water, the Viper feels like it sits in. Due to the excess weight, doesn't really jump forward/accelerate in the gusts.

So overall the design is promising, but to me there are some big question marks and it is all down to 1 thing, weight! I know that this was debated previously in other threads, but compared to a Taipan and the other F16 designs, I would still choose the Taipan and optimise it with good systems similar to the Viper set up.