Mark:

I agree the person at the stick makes a lot of difference, but you are one to look at results. Look at Portsmouth races across the country. Hobie 17 is usually in the top five of ALL high Portsmouth races. Has been that way for a long time, so I think rating would have been adjusted a long time ago. It is just a fast boat in certain conditions. Yes the wings have a big advantage of getting the weight out to hold it down in heavier air and they can point pretty good then too.

Doug