Hello Stephen,
Of course we are mostly engaged in some friendly fencing.
And yes indeed I made a rather big counter statement.
Of course the underlying thought is that a claim is made were no is proof is provided for. With respect to wether it is reasonably or not, well the real data we do posses among us all (of other boats and T's) suggests that it may well not be reasonable at all. But I accept that that is a matter of (personal) intepretation.
I for one say that when than when the Bacardi run only showed 23.48 knots in 1997 and a Canadian radar gave 28 knots that a speed increase of no less than 18-38 % on top of these extremes is a bit of a stretch of the imagination. But like I said THAT is only my personal intepretation, or rather extrapolation, of the data that we do have.
You say that nowhere in the T class statement does it specify that sustained speeds are discussed. Well that is true, But doesn't the wording and feel of the article suggest just a little bit that they ARE talking about sustained speeds.
When I say that I can run at a 50 miles an hour don't you immediately and instinctively intepretate this as me of doing that on a typicall track or road instead of inside a Railway carrage doing 45 miles an hour to which I add my 5 miles and hour ?
That is the issue I'm high lighting here. I mean take a look at the actuall quote
The Tornado is quick to catch the eye of any water-drawn on-looker as it speeds across harbors, lakes, and oceans in over 30 countries around the world. With its ability to reach speeds of 15-18 knots upwind and downwind, and 33+ knots reaching, the Tornado is truly the purists' speed machine.
It doesn't really say anywhere that the Tornado is actually SAILING as well.
Hell, it can catch the eye of on-lookers while it is still on the trailer. Speeding across harbour and lakes while crossing a bridge and crossing oceans inside a container on a 500 ft supercarrier cruising at 25-30 knots ?
I mean if we go your way than all these things qualify as well.
Besides that ain't nothing, My Prindle 16 once crossed the 30 km stretch of the ijssel lake in 40 knot winds with foam and water splashing high up on either side while travelling at 120 km/h. Of course it was during a storm and the boat was on the trailer while I drove over the connecting dyke that is only 20 mtr wide.
Both you and I don't know who made this claim or how it was calculated / measured.... So until the claim is investigated, I believe it to be wrong to call BS. You can however take it with a grain of salt.
Alright although I still think it to be funny that you look at it from that perspective.
Besides F16's reach at 40 knots, so T's are really too slow to waste this many words on.
(or would you call that BS ? I mean you haven't investigated this claim yet or know how this number was obtained)
Just for the record, I am sceptical of any claims of 30 knots sustained, be it a T or Skiff but would not argue that a short burst in the right conditions 33 + is impossible.
I respect your personal view point
Have fun sailing Stephen and think of me a little during your summer !
It is cold and dark overhere. Season must start again soon
Wouter
