What is this? It's for sale in the classifieds. I've heard of the pantera power boat, and the car, but a sailboat? Never! Anybody ever see one of these? Couldn't find anything on the web. I'm intrigued but doubt it's anything more than a small lake, light air, pontoon boat with a sail.
Can I get a witness?

The Bore

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Dart 20
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look for viva 27.
. . . or just look here at thebeachcats.com
https://www.thebeachcats.…pictures?g2_itemId=19295

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Philip
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That was easy, thank you Mr. P.M.
It's 616 miles away from me but I'm quite tempted. It's going to be interesting to see how my inner demons argue this out.
The Bore

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Dart 20
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There is a short but great respected history with this boat. Less than 20 of them were made but it fit into a niche market . . . fast, trailerable, beachable, affordable. I believe built in Newport Beach during the glory years of high performance cats, where NACRA, Hobie, Prindle was full on. Bowie Houghton was the designer, he and his wife were involved with the Newport Harbor Yacht Club newsletter back in the day, and he "might" have been with the original email format back in the day of "on the wire". A lot about this boat was not documented much but I think I can find a few links. Sailing Anarchy has a few threads about it.

The one in the ad looks like it found it's way to a weekend owner in Montana. If it sailed Flathead Lake, there is chance Dave Farmer might have some intel on it.



Edited by P.M. on Apr 11, 2022 - 06:48 PM.

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Philip
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If this boat has good bones, and you have the space, this could be a good project. Looks like there has been several mods made to the boat from the pictures . . . not crazy about hard lazy jacks (welded aluminum, etc. and new sails would be expensive. Parts (rudders, castings, boards, etc.) would be non-existent.

My apologies to Damon for linking SA:
https://forums.sailingana…ble-racing-tris-vs-cats/

https://forums.sailingana…etto-vs-warrior-vs-viva/

https://forums.sailingana…partnership-bay-area-ca/

https://www.boatdesign.ne…e-thoughts.62361/page-36

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Philip
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Thanks again Philip. All that magically popped up as soon as I entered "viva 27". Some kind of brainfart on my part for not reading the actual words in the ad. I agree with all you said about the mods, and from the pictures it looks like it has been kept in the water which is concerning also.
It's no doubt it would be a project with lots of fabrication of parts. I'm guessing at least another $5000 plus time, space, and then sails. But really hard to say without an inspection and that's a 1200 mile ride.
I have a call into him.
Crazy I know.
It's a boat.

The Bore

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Dart 20
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