That is probably the best desciption of the 16" situation.

I sail the (modified) Taipan and I have the same experience as Eric Poulsen. Of course the Taipan is known to be a boat that reacts very well to wildthinging (keeping luff hull out of the water), so that may be a factor as well.

Bob is right of course that small differences in boat design can lead to different outcomes in this field, but I also value strongly the much improved manouvrebility when sitting in. You can make a (crash) gybe much faster and that is also a big reason why I favour this approach.

Wouter