Over the years I have done some beam reaching drag racing against the H16's while sailing a Hobie Tiger and a Formula 16 myself; often in big wind. Each time the boats stayed very close to one another and it always was an inmense effort just to pass the Hobie 16's. When I sailed a Hobie 16 myself I found the exact same thing. Basically, the Hobie 16 is a fast reacher and it always has been.

I'm not surprised it hits 20 knots in such conditions.

Wouter