wow thanks for the old pics Don

will print a couple off for the wall of the cabin

i'm guessing that those other nacras with the alpha sail markings in the 2nd pic are the 18foot alpha cats that tom rolland was making before the 5.2

does the line drawing on the last pic show cascading blocks on the boom or an alternate block position?

and to answer the original question

the nacra 5.2 is a bit more race than the hobie 16, lots more ways to tweak the sails for the last bit of speed and the big daggers means it will go upwind lots better than a hobie

as i sail on a smallish deep lake with an island pointing ability is GOOD and big daggers not a problem. even the weight isn't an issue as i can leave the boat on the beach for most of the year

generally for solo sailing though i pretty much leave everything at it's middle setting as there is too much running around to do changing all 6? settings every change from upwind to downwind

i haven't sailed a hobie but have found the 5.2 a very stable platform for solo trapezing, very forgiving on where you can have your feet and gives lots of warning about leeward hull getting too low in the water, like in the 3rd pic

for a surf beach a board less boat like a hobie would be much easier