The thread about Tornado plans was interesting but the amount of misinformation presented is so much I don't know where to start. First of all, I have plans with Jerry Houlton's building directions free for the asking. I do this as a public service to all cat sailors interested.
As the builder of the carbon fiber Tornado being discussed I think the comments from the Tornado class official need a rebuttial. One of the main reasons I designed and built the boat was to prove there is an alternative to the Marstrom program of shelling out $20K plus for boat built of oblolete materials. The anti-carbon rule otiginated in the early 70s when carbon was $150 a pound. It is now about $12 per pound. The rule was intended to keep the boat affordable for a wide audience. In the ultimate perverse irony, Marstrom builds boats with prepreg and Nomex which is state of the art composite methods using obsolete fibers (S-glass)! ! And of course, the original intent of having a class with broad appeal is long gone.
The suggestion that my boat is worth only the price of the rig shows a profound lack of understanding and a level of arrogance this class is famous for. Did it occour to any one that a Tornado that is 40 lbs. lighter and stiffer has intrensic value to some people? Not every one thinks of their boat as "athelitic equipment" and some appreciate craftsmanship and engineering that go into a custom boat. Not to mention it's a hell of a ride out there.

Kevin Cook