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Actually I don't think the Tornado qualifies as a B-class anymore (too much sailarea)
Maybe not, as far as A,B,C & D Classes go. The A seems to be keeping closest to its original intent of a box rule development class. The B class disitigrated into mostly one-design boats with the choosing of an Olympic Class Multihull. Whether or not the Tornado still lives up to this responsibility or not can be debated at another time. In essnce though, it is still a B-Class in intent. It, as well is still one of my favorite boats to sail, or I would not have spent the time building two different ones over the years. Neither of them were really competitive other than on a local level against Sailcrafts or Reg Whites. If luck "right side of course, good start, etc...) was with us then against Marstroms as well. The unfortunate side of Tornados is really two things; first, it is a very expensive platform to own with too limited a manufacturing base, if you camn call it that. Consistently, Marstom is the only builder in the game. Second is its accessibility. Trailoring is either on a breakdown trailor or on a tilt trailor. Too bad telscoping beams were not a sound answer to the problem. Anyway, enough rambling. The Tornado could fit into a modified F-20 rating and should be considered in a "new" Tradewinds. I know the A-Class is racing their Mid-Winters/Pre-Worlds there the following week, hopefully there is some turn out from them at the regatta.
I will still stick with the list of;
Entry Level- Hobie Wave
Entry Level Racing- F-16
Advanced Two Person- F-18
Singlehanded Racing- A-Class
Two Person Racing Large Format- Tornado/Modified F-20
As to the D-Class mentioned earlier in this thread, that never realy got off the ground. I believe that only one D-Class was ever built, maybe two. C's are not approachable by many people due to the wing mast configuration. Even with soft rigs they are still too expensive and there are other boats that could fill the gap of either C or D class cats. All of these are just too large to be considered in such a regatta. As too Tornados, they too are somewhat unapproachable due to cost and transport, I still would like to see them racing again with renewed interest and exposure to the class. Who knows, maybe someone will wake up in that class and try too find a way to produce quality boats at a more affordable price.
Tom
As to Vanguard, they may be a good company to approach, Hobie or Performance Catamarans may do as well, even though the contacts and relationships with Yatch Clubs, US Sailing and ISAF are no where near as strong and developed. As to the design of a 12 foot, single handed boat, Pete Melvin and Jeremy Laundergan might be two designers to approach for such a project. The A2/A3 A-Class design on a smaller scale might work with a simplified rig. F-20 as well with Pete's extensive and successful Tornado experience to offer in retrospect. Well that's my $.02 on the issue.
