I don't think that anyone would argue that the F18 class is both succesfull, and that the boats are heavy. Making things lighter would be number one on my list of things to do for all boats. Would slowly lowering the weight over 10 years, (or pick a time frame), allow the any of the classes a chance to lower the weight, while keeping older boats competitive through their usefull lives? I don't think we'll be seeing too many 40 year old F18's like we do with the H14/16. Lowering the weight slowly, year one 1 lb, year two 1.5 lbs, year three 2.5lbs, etc. Take 20-25 lbs off gradually as it becomes more viable, then start the process over. I don't think would really render anything obsolete that wouldn't follow that path in due course anyhow. As technology progress's some of the build techniques, and materials may be cost prohibitive now, but what about down the road? Ten years down the road how many of the semi serious teams will be campaigning a vintage boat anyway?