[quote=davefarmer]Start checking in on the Yahoo Tornado group regularly, and feel free to ask questions there as well, there are some very knowledgable guys there that are always helpful. Wood boats can be light and stiff if in good condition. Some were homebuilt. so try and get a feel for weight. The classic Ts have a jib and pinhead main, often dacron, and if old, probably stretched out and too much draft. Later model Sports added a second trapeze, squaretop main, spinnaker(best with a snuffer), and a more sophisticated mast and mainsail controls. Marstrom boats were/are high quality construction. Boat condition is the most important consideration for me, and is a big factor in the price. Make sure you can determine what might be missing, replacing equipment is expensive. Consider the condition of the sails, how many seasons you might get out of them before needing expensive new ones. This boat is most practical if you can safely leave it rigged mast up somewhere. Trailering and launching with a tilt trailer is a noticably bigger deal than with an 8' wide boat, and breaking down the boat for trailering will get old quickly. Because the T has lost its Olympic status, the value of late model boats have dropped significantly relative to the technology/performance offered, as serious racers move to more active classes. So if you have the cash for a newer boat it'd be a great value. With older boats, the value is more dependent on condition, and your ability to asess that. Good luck, it's an awesome machine!
Dave
Stealth F16
Bimare F18 HT
18 square
ARC 22
Flight Risk, custom 24'[/quote]
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