You're probably right with respect to fairness...
I'm mostly playing devil's advocate, but here's the reasoning behind my suggestion of beginning "now" rather than retroactively: better to make the less noticeable changes first, and see if that solves the problem in the future. It's not that I'm convinced the "old" #'s aren't fair, previous arguments notwithstanding, it's that, since I don't see a lot of 1980 P16's winning regattas, and if we can solve the problem gradually in the future without disheartening some new sailors, I'd prefer that.
I tend to root for the underdog - personality flaw
Anyway, good luck with the project. Sounds like you've got some great ideas.
Michael Coffman
T4.9#32