IMO the rating of the F16 is ok and that is in any condition.
I'm sure in lighter winds/flat water the F16 is even in favour.
If you saw the REM race results (last year in Holland) the F16 did very well in heavy seas and quite heavy winds.

If I compare the results of Kathleen and I, I must say we end up in open regatta's were we ended up with the Nacra 5.0 the year before. The Nacra I sailed for 12 years, the Blade the first....
F16 have a lot op potential.

As for what you are saying about how to promote the class to non-competitive sailors Rolf, I think the platform has many advantages:

light
1 and 2 up
looks good
cheaper then an F18 (because a lot of F18 at our club are sailing by non-competitive sailors but it looks/sounds good).

Regards,
Gill