Everybody can beat their chests all they like about who's product is biggest & stiffest etc (some might say it's a male thing <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />), but at the end of the day volume & stiffness alone will not get you a sustainable product.

Other items for consideration should be (just in he platform alone) : -

1. Distibution of volume
2. Hull rocker
3. Dynamic lift
4. Platform weight
5. Platform torsion

Having seen the Viper & Blade (both the US & Aus model)along side each other on the beach at Zandvoort & a recent regatta here in Oz, I can confirm (unbiased) that both designs vary in all aspects listed above & prospective customers should make their own minds up about which product will give them the best scenario without manufacturer's marketing statments or uneducated statements on this forum. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Obviously Gary & myself favour the Blade design & support the philosophy behind Phill's design. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Personally I like certain aspects of the Viper (as I do about the Stealth), but equally there are other aspects I dont like & its purely personal opinion.