Well,
things have developped:
- new designs allow a very clean tramp with a European Hobie snuffer
- the HC 16 works excellent with the new SPI (only a few weeks or so on the market see Hobie Europe website),
- the SPI adds fun to the boat and it is still easy to sail, really.
- the HC 16 was not designed for SPIs, but what about the TORNADO, it also works out excellent!
- There needs to be a coordinated interclass support: In Europe the major classes are HC 16 (for experienced guys, esp. mixed crews, newcomers, youth), the F 18 for heavier crews, mixed even female only, the Tornado as the Olympic Class.
So showing this, these classes are starting to understand that there will be good support if the F18 and Tornados are supporting the HC 16 because they recruit their members out of these! And by the way, all (will) have spinnakers.

Fritz