As a partner in a N20, an owner of an Infusion and an old H20, I would like to express a few thoughts.
The N20 is a dream to sail and is a great boat for 2 man teams. If you have ever sailed one you will agree.
If you look at the recent results from the F18s, the heavier teams were not at the very top of the standings.
The N20 class is not dead. We had 6 on the line at Key Sailing a week ago. In fact, in the Florida Panhandle, there are more N20s than anything else. There a very few F18s.
I've heard that the price of carbon is coming down and the dollar has strengthened 30% in the last month. I expect that we will see the price of the carbon masts returning to a reasonable level. I love the carbon mast and I would hate to see NACRA go to an aluminum mast that requires two sets of spreaders. The infusion mast is quite heavy.
In summary, each boat has its place. The N20 is great for 2 good size guys, the F18 is for a lower weight range (two smaller guys or a man and a woman) and the F16 is for small teams or for single handers.