I am very excited to announce that the Class has appointed SERO Innovation as our new builder. The appointment follows over a year of searching, many good discussions with industry players, a false start with Ontario Yachts, and finally a fruitful negotiation with SERO that has resulted in a new agreement to build Vipers in North America.

For those of you who did not attend the AGM at the 2025 North American’s in Hampton, VA let me share the back story:

After the pandemic, much of the small boat manufacturing industry suffered what has turned out to be a permanent contraction. Many smaller companies either closed or were greatly reduced in size. Rondar’s sales dried up, so they undertook non-marine work to survive. Rondar also decided to focus on only 3 classes: the Viper, Sonar and Albacore.

Rondar has been our builder since 2006 and has built over 240 Vipers. Paul Young, indicating that retirement was only a few years away, encouraged us to seek a new builder. We agreed and began talking with potential builders, looking primarily in North America.

Although we made significant progress in our discussions with Ontario Yachts in September 2025, which we announced at the NA’s, we were not able to finalize an agreement.

Thanks to the members of the Builders Committee who reached out to other possible builders, we began discussions with SERO Innovation in January.

SERO Sailing is a sailboat design and manufacturing company based in Marine City, Michigan. The organization grew out of the success of SunfishDirect.com, an online chandlery and boat dealer that became the largest global retailer of Sunfish sailboats, serving recreational sailors, one-design racers, camps, and sailing schools. As SunfishDirect, the team supported many Sunfish World Championships by providing 342 brand new boats across six World Championships.

In 2022, after a prolonged period when new Sunfish boats and parts were unavailable from the manufacturer, the team established SERO Sailing and designed the SOL sailboat, intended to serve sailors seeking a boat in the Sunfish tradition. In February 2025, SERO acquired the Sunfish and Laser trademarks then began production of the Sunfish in April 2025, building more than 300 boats through the end of the year.

The company has an experienced production group with good laminating experience and work from a well organized, sizeable factory and office in Marine City, MI. They also have full time customer service, purchasing, and senior sales support. There is a commitment to quality assurance and running a well laid out production facility in addition to the spare parts business.

This is a family-owned business committed to long term growth, with the capacity to support both the Class and its customers. The Builders Committee has conducted thorough due diligence and are pleased to have chosen SERO as our new builder.

The molds will be shipped from Rondar in the UK in late April. SERO intends to begin Viper production in June. Paul Young has agreed to be on site to train the staff at SERO and supervise the production of the first few boats, helping to ensure a smooth transition.