Hey Eric, I often wonder how fast we were going on the last race of the windy day at Perf. Nationals last year. My feel is that it was not faster than 20kts.

The fastest I've ever gone as measured by GPS was 23mph/20.4kts. This is a speed while I was actually looking at the GPS. I've received higher max speeds up to 35mph. I don't believe the max speed because of the fact that the GPS is swinging around and probably just caught it right for a second to come up with the max. I maxed out at 23mph on a Hobie 20 on a reach in flat water. If I had more weight on the wire the speed would have been more. I was basically limited by counter weight and beam length. I feel that a Tornado should be able to go a bit faster. I don't believe 30kts but sustained bursts to 27kts is probably attainable on a Tornado. A SC22 would even be faster.

Just had to chime in after reading all of this. Oh yeah and when going upwind in 20knts I've looked down at my GPS and it consistently reads about 10mph even though I think I'm going faster.

Mike Hill
H20 #791