"Formula 16 HT never really made any sense to me because I felt why not go with a little more length with an 18' cat"

Then why not a 20ht?
That way the 18ht wouldn't make sense, right?

Of all the differences in these classes, the waterline length is probably the least important.
If the f16 class never made sense to you, you probably either aren't sailing at 310 lbs or less, or you don't want to race solo on occasion.
These 2 classes are completely different in design and intent. Both "make sense" if you are aware that some people weigh more than others and some people would like to be able to race both with and without crew.

The 18ht's are a really great, fast, hi-tech boat for 2 average size guys who always race together.
The F16 fit's another niche - light guys, women, husband/wife teams, and people with undependable crew. Unless you only want 170 lb sailors, sailing doublehanded, what doesn't make sense about the F16 idea?

Michael Coffman
t4.9#32