Kevin: I'm sure nobody wanted to offend you, and hopefully this case has been cleared up..
And of course, the original intent of having a class with broad appeal is long gone.
Originally the Tornado was the 'build your boat in your backgarden and go to the Olympics' class. The ideal is very nice, but in the real world, unfortunately, it does not work out. On the olympic level, if you can buy an advantage, you do it.
The appeal of the Tornado is still strong in my opinion. The boat is lovely, albeight a bit pricey, and is still very fast. If the carbon mast passes the class ballot, wich I dont think it will, it will again make the boat faster.
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.
Famous, or perhaps infamous ?
The International Tornado butt. (ITA) is run by past and present olympics. I think this reflects on both recruitment to the class and how the ITA is run.
Down on the local level, the class is excellent in my experience. Everybody are helpful and caring, when somebody new in the class shows up you are generally taken well care of. I.e. if you break something in a race, you will not have many problems getting help with replacments and repairs. If you are slow on the water, the current world champion might just stop by your boat and give som advice, if present..
I have never met any arrogance or lack of understanding among Tornado sailors, and would reccomend both the class and the boat.
However, I have also heard the same sentiments you mention among other classes. But have not experienced it within the Tornado class. Perhaps this is a thing of the past ?
Anyway, I would love the hear more about the Tornados you have buildt!
Did you make the foils yourself as well ?
How did you engineer the main beam to be strong enough to do away with the dolphin striker ?
What is it like to sail compared with an Marstrøm ?
You mentioned the availibity of plans, what kind of hull form did you incorperate ? Yves Loday/Reg White has designed a new hull form, and I believe Marstrøm also has a new hull shape in work. Both to optimize for the 'new' rig.
I would love to have a look at your plans, but will not have the money to build a carbon Tornado. I do want to build a wooden boat tough, as I have access to an old 80's homebuildt GRP Tornado where the hulls are falling apart.
Best regards
Rolf
Tornado NOR-10384
