Michael, I believe you, I am into the same process myself <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> It demands substantial amounts of time, a large contact network and access to industrial suppliers. Not everybody are able to pull that off, but it sounds like you have the resources needed.
What I was worried about with your Tornado aim was building something with very low resale value and not being competitive with the rest of the fleet. There is a decent size Tornado fleet in Germany, and it is very competitive. If your youths decide to go to a Tornado event, it would not be good if they started out with a handicap due to the boat not being as inherently good as a Marstrøm. He has perfected his boats over the last 30 years so that is the measurement when you build a Tornado. The building tolerances you need to build to if you want to measure in is also quite tight.
I hope I am not being patronizing, I just want to be helpful.

A large boat also demands a larger budget for upkeep. The loads are larger so things tend to wear out or break faster. Then there is the safety aspect of a large boat. Not only the speed, but handling, righting after capsizes, sheeting loads etc. When that has been said, the Tornado is a great boat to sail and race! I have lots of very good memories and experiences from sailing that boat. If you do decide on a Tornado or something similar, you will no doubt have a fantastic time on it.

If/when you build, perhaps you could do a blog on the experience, or let the youth do the blog, as part of the project?


If I might be so forward: You have probably already done so, but I would have checked with whomever I was communicating wether they were OK with having their emails posted on a public forum.

Keep at it, we are all at the egdes of our seats waiting for what you decide to do.