Kathryn,

Speaking from decades of Hobie racing (against YOU) and a few years of monohull sailing too, I suggest treating the F-Boats like a crossbread, but leaning more to the cats. My F24 mkI carries full sail single handedly to 20 knots. after that there is too much drag upwind for the drive given, and alot more at stake than a Hobie 17. Can do more wind if I have crew though. With a reef in the main and full jib, she really settles down and still goes very well, and is very balanced. Balance the sailplan to the wind like a mono, but you can depower with shape and trim similar to a cat for awhile, so you can be more aggressive than a mono would be there. My rules are: if you can keep the mainsail from luffing too much and the leward hull from being completely awash, you are OK. (watch the sea-state on that hull though) I don't think you need to work too much with mast rake unless you "only" sail in those conditions. (30ish)

Happy "tri-ing", hope we sail together again some day. (reefed or not)
:-)