Hey Harry, howya doin? It's been awhile. Great to see you here, I've seen a few of your posts recently. After being one of the early Catsailor members, I've made my way back after a long hiatus. As you know, I'm a long time Hobie 16 sailor (also have a 14). I recently picked up a Nacra 5.0 that needs a set of sails and some work, can't wait for Spring to try it out.
I agree with you that the TheMightyHobie18 is a great surf boat (see the old Dean Froome video - "Share the Wind"?) As for surfin in the conditions described here, it's the H16 for me. The Hobie 16 and 14 were made to surf, by a surfer (Hobie Alter). As mentioned, the banana hull shapes are great for surfing, they ride the waves well, they don't slice or fall through as much as narrow fine hulls. The kick-up rudders are essential. And the lack of a daggerboard makes it so easy. Plus the large roach in the main makes it such a great reacher, you can power up so easily in an onshore breeze when you need speed for control to catch (or bail) on a wave. Don't get me wrong, the TheMightyHobie18 is great as well, and I would favor it in larger waves and with combined crew weights above 330 or so. The temp here in Annapolis is going down into the teens tonight, wish I were on the Mexican Pacific coast right now.