The relatively high ballast ratio and narrow beam ensures that the K6 is very difficult to capsize to a mast on the water state, and very rapidly recovers should it do so. It also has a more sophisticated rig with the ability to alter the tension and power of the rig while sailing. All of this makes the K6 less sensitive to crew weight than wider sportboats, and the close fleet racing in Europe and the US with a broad range of weight on board reflects this. The design optimum weight is around 375lb, but crews from around 350lb to 450lb can sail competitively, and the boat can also be sailed by three lighter sailors with just enough cockpit space.

The K6 is the lightest of its type and the narrow hull with fine entry is easily driven so the sail area is kept low which keeps the sheet loads low. All the controls are centrally placed for skipper or crew, along with a self tacking jib, chute launcher and the asymmetric kite - crewing a performance boat has never been easier. This means that it is possible for couples and families to be competitive, even in a breeze. More importantly it opens up crew options and that gets more boats onto the starting line more often.

The K6 was also designed to be easy to rig and launch and inexpensive to own and transport. On shore it is easily handled and takes the least space to store. Launching can be with a hoist or from a ramp or hard beach. In fact, the K6 was designed to be ramp launched by hand using the supplied custom dolly (that nests into a road trailer base for over the road transport), and its furling jib, permanently rigged keel hoist system, and lifting rudder make sailing off a ramp as easy as possible. For longer distances, the dimensions allow for several boats to fit in a 20ft container, minimizing shipping costs.

Ownership costs are kept down due to the vacuum bagged epoxy construction that that will make the hull last many years. The class also uses specified sails from a single sailmaker to keep sail costs down and standardize tuning within the class.

Rondar Raceboats were appointed the class builder for the Viper 640 in late 2005. Rondar has been in business making racing sailboats continuosly since 1965. Paul Young has been President of Rondar since 1991. Rondar has earned a reputation as a pre-eminent builder of fast one-design race boats. Rondar hulls have won World championships in numerous classes including the Contender, the 420, the Fireball, the Enterprise and most notably the highly competitive 5-0-5 class. The recent victory of Jan Saugman and Morton Ramsbaeck in Adelaide means that eight out of the last ten 5-0-5 world championships have been won in a Rondar hull. Rondar's team of engineers, riggers and craftsmen have prepared boats for olympic medallists and local club champions. Their reputation for quality and technical expertise is second to none and we could not be more pleased with their work as our class builder. Rondar are based near Devizes in the county of Wiltshire, United Kingdom and produce between 200 and 250 boats a year.

With its innovative design, the Antrim 27 is perfect for the weekend sailing enthusiast who demands both the performance of a sportboat and the overnight cruising comforts found on larger boats. The Antrim 27 is a stable, upright performer capable of handling a wide range of sailing conditions.

It will delight you as a spirited coastal adventurer; or it can be raced with a crew of four or five men or women of any age and experience. The deck-mounted articulating bowsprit allows total cockpit comfort and keeps the interior dry and uninterrupted.

With the Antrim 27, we included some of the great features found on our Ultimate 20 to create an innovative craft with lots of space and plenty of extras. The Antrim's retractable keel provides versatility for ramp launching in shallow water areas. And, with a convenient winch that can raise the keel to a draft of just 3'4", the Antrim 27 allows you to venture where shallow water is a concern.

Dry storage and trailering have become a common practice, and at just 2,600 pounds, the Antrim 27 is light and manageable, both on and off the water. Its light weight and the low trailer profile provided by its retracted keel means you can easily tow the Antrim 27 behind most 6- or 8-cylinder passenger vehicles. Smart looks and solid, world-class design and construction take the Antrim 27 to the next level.