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Sailboat Specifications

Tornado Catamaran

Frac. Sloop (Rotating Spar) · Catamaran Twin Cbrd.

Designed by R. March/T. Pearce/R. White · Built by Sailcraft (Can) · First built 1967

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LOA 20.00 ft  ·  Beam 10.00 ft  ·  Displacement 300.00 lb  ·  Sail Area 235.00 ft²  ·  Frac. Sloop (Rotating Spar)  ·  Catamaran Twin Cbrd.
About the Tornado Catamaran Sailboat

Originally designed by the collaborative trio of Rodney March, Terry Pearce, and Reg White in 1967, this high-performance catamaran quickly established itself as a formidable force in competitive sailing. With an impressive production run of 4,700 boats built primarily by Sailcraft in Canada, the Tornado became one of the most successful racing catamarans ever created. The boat's fractional sloop rig features a rotating mast that allows for precise sail shape control, while the twin centerboard configuration provides excellent upwind performance and shallow-water versatility. At 20 feet in length with a 10-foot beam, the Tornado strikes an ideal balance between speed and handling, making it suitable for both serious racers and experienced recreational sailors seeking thrilling performance. The wood and fiberglass construction offers durability while keeping displacement to just 300 pounds, contributing to exceptional acceleration and planning ability. With a sail area to displacement ratio of 83.99, this catamaran delivers exhilarating speed on all points of sail. The Tornado gained international recognition as an Olympic class boat, cementing its reputation for precision engineering and competitive excellence. Today, it remains highly sought after by sailors who appreciate responsive handling and pure sailing performance in coastal waters.

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Dimensions & Specifications
LOA (Length Overall) 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
Beam 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
Max Draft 2.50 ft / 0.76 m
Min Draft 0.50 ft / 0.15 m
Displacement 300.00 lb / 136 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 235.00 ft² / 21.83 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Catamaran Twin Cbrd.
Rigging Type Frac. Sloop (Rotating Spar)
Construction Wood/FG
Designer R. March/T. Pearce/R. White
Builder Sailcraft (CAN)
First Built 1967
Number Built 4700
Associations Tornado Class Association (International)
Related Sailboats Shark Catamaran · Nacra 20 · Hobie Fox · Marstrom 20 · Astus 201
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Tornado Catamaran's comfort ratio?

The Tornado Catamaran has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 1.2. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.

Is the Tornado Catamaran safe for offshore sailing?

The Tornado Catamaran has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 5.98. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.

What is the hull speed of the Tornado Catamaran?

The theoretical hull speed of the Tornado Catamaran is 5.52 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.

How much does a Tornado Catamaran weigh?

The Tornado Catamaran has a displacement of 300.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 20.00 ft.

Who designed the Tornado Catamaran?

The Tornado Catamaran was designed by R. March/T. Pearce/R. White, first built in 1967.