It has been pointed out to me that hosts of the ISAF Youth Worlds have the option of choosing the equipment for their events. The two multihulls that can be used are the SL16 and the Hobie 16 with spinnaker. For the 2009 Worlds in Brazil, the Hobie 16 with spinnaker will be used. For the 2009 Worlds in Turkey, the ISAF Events Committee recommended the SL16 - that recommendation is yet to be upheld by the Council.

Regarding provided equipment - it did impress skiff and dinghy parents and kids that our fleet had provided boats and a USSA Committee standing by to give funding to teams from the event and pay for a coach to be on-site all weekend. Mark's point is valid with regard to the bigger picture, since provided equipment may not be sustainable from a manufacturer's standpoint if there's no market for the equipment provided (e.g., Hobie 16 spinnaker packages and SL16s).

Does anyone know if there are US Hobie youth teams sailing the 16 with the 'chute? Gordo?