Hi Wouter,

This 23.48 knot record was an average speed over the course which was the first and as far as I know, the only Bacardi Speed blast nearly 8 years ago.

I will try and find some info about other speed runs involving Ts and what the fastest recorded time is.

However this was an average speed at one event.... The Tornado class makes claims of 33+ knots. It in know way mentions this is an average over a set course. I have seen and been on Ts during big reaches in as much as 36 knot average winds with gusts of upto 42 (recorded). However we never had a GPS on board and nobody was timing us or any others. Just because you or I have not seen it recorded, mean we can call BS. Some of the runs I have seen and done may well be no where near the quickest runs ever achieved on a cat. However despite not measuring our speed or others...... It was F*%$ing quick and would not doupt it was close to 30 knots peak.

Before calling BS, you should find out who made the claims, where it was and how it was measured.

Also the Tornado is well known for its londlivety, with an International Life span of 7 to 10 years where as most other OD production boats are 1 to 3.

That is why they are 50 % to nearly twice the price of simular beach cats. The class sailors, whome are some of the best in the world, have demanded stronger, stiffer boats and were willing to pay more for it. With Marstroms success in producing a superiour product to other manufactures have see the Tornado class develop into nearly a SMOD.

For any other maufacture to set up and produce a product equal to or superiour to Marstrom would be a huge capital outlay and not worth it. I believe Reg White who's product domiated the Tornado class before the rise of the Marstrom, has recently built a few new Ts for some French sailors with no major sucsess.

I think the longlivety of the Marstom combined with the excellent resale value of the boats, the T does not deserve the reputation of being an expensive class to own. The initial outlay may be a bit more but over time should work out equal or even better than many other classes. Compare a 10 year old Marstrom T to a X class of the same vintage or the amount of X class boats you turn over to stay copetitive and see which class is more expensive.

For example of prices, in Austalia I can purchase an F-18 for around $27,000 to $29,000. A Tornado I can land here for around $45,000. The F-18 however is not a Tornado and we don't realy have any other 20 beach cats here in Oz to compare to.