Looking at all the "Tornado killer" all-carbon projects out there, I think where they miss out is with the rig. The fast and easy way to get a fast rig is to simply prop a Tornado rig with Tornado sails on top of a new platform.
Exactly right !
That is one thing they did right with the Volvo Extreme 20 boats. Although they had to increase the mainsail area again, meaning they can't make use of future Tornado rig developments.
Personally, I would love to see a Blade 20 footer platform with a modern Tornado rig on it. Let the Olympic boys develop the rig to perfection and have the proven hull shape of the Blades. Then use the rudder profile of catamaranparts.nl and the carbon stocks of AHPC, possibly with small Stealth marine T-foils on the tips. Then steal the daggerboard design of the Capricorn and use the Topcat snuffer hoop and bag. Or make the back out of smoke grey pentex to make it look nice.
That boat is going to be a dream to sail. With the Blade hulls and T-foils it will be an excellent distance racer and won't pitch at all. It also won't slap the waves with the rearbeam. Cost ? Make the hulls out of vinylester and kevlar reinforced glass and it's be under 20K Euro's ready to sail.
Wouter
