Hi:
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<br>Glad to hear that you're on the Chesapeake.
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<br>There are two main spinnaker boats being currently sailed on the Chesapeake. These are Inter 20 and Tornado. They fill potentially different, but similar niches within the sailing community.
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<br>The I-20 is a strict manufacturer controlled one-design class. As I understand it, sails and equipment must come from the manufacturer. The I-20 is quite modern in hull shape and popular among distance racing folks. If you are interested in an extremely tightly controlled class (read aren't interested in messing around with rigging, sails, etc), and are perhaps a bit more casual in your racing desires, then I-20 may be the class for you.
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<br>The Int'l Tornado is an Olympic class, with a member controlled class association. Sails may be bought from any sailmaker. Equipment may be from any supplier. In principle, boats and spars can be from any supplier, although in practice the Marstrom Tornado and spars are superior to all others.
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<br>While the I-20 has greater numbers throughout the US than the Tornado, the Chesapeake Bay has the largest fleet of Tcats in the country and , there isat least the same activity in Tcats as I-20s locally. However, and hoping to not start a pissing match about this, I suspect that the level of competitiveness in Tornado is higher than that generally found in other classes since the focus of many Tornado sailors is to go to the Olympics. Regardless of what side of the fence you want to stand on the previous statement, there are certainly more high level regattas for Tcats than for I-20s. For example, CORK, a regatta in Kingston, Ontario ( 8 1/2 hours from Annapolis) held each August, gives ISAF international ranking points and is generally attended by the best Tcat sailors in the US. In addition, Kingston hosts two other Tornado regattas, one in early July and one in October, that attract high quality competition. The North American Cnampionships will be held in Houston this year in November. The US Nationals will be held in Miami in December, and the Miami Olympic classes regatta will be held at the same venue in January of 2002. The last three regattas mentioned will be used to determine membership to the US Sailing Team for 2002, so all Olympic hopefuls will attend. In addition to these regattas, the 2002 Tcat Worlds will be held in Marthas Vineyard in September 2002.
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<br>I encourage you te evaluate your sailing goals and pick the class of your choice. As a long time Tornado sailor, I can speak with some authority about the Tcat. If you are interested in very high level competition in a member controlled class and if you are used to and want freedom to experiment with equipment within a one-design framework, then consider the Tornado. Feel free to call me at 301 208 0828 (MD) and I'll answer any questions that I can. I will be home tonite, but I will be leaving for Kingston tomorrow evening for a Tcat regatta and two days of training.
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<br>-Greg<br><br>