Similar style hull shape (By that I mean Tubes of various configurations not comparing it to a V-bottom hull like the H16) the hull itself is at most around 2% of the race. This being from the old rule of thumb that 90% of the outcome is from the driver/crew, 7% is the rig and the rest is a toss up with the foils and hulls. Given designs that are close it will be the team not the boat that will win.

Look at the older designs in the evolving classes like the MK V in the A class or the Tiger in the F18. These boats still win races. Handicap numbers are not falling with every new design that comes along in these classes because the ultimate speed of the older boats really is no different than the newer designs. I do feel though that the newer designs make it possible to more easily attain that top speed. Many of the designs are more responsive and more stable so that they can be driven to their potential with greater ease.

Boat weights play into that same catagory of irrelavance within the 20-30 pounds of the F16's. Give it a 100 or more like some of the other classes and you will really tell. I would much rather have my extra weight on my body to move it around as required for proper trim, but that is my personal view, otherwise who cares except for some BS bragging rights.

Follow Gina's advice and try out the boats. None are going to provide any huge order of magnitude difference in a race, but they will feel different. You are not going to be able to find that magic race winner (used to be the portsmouth number was good, but a few loud mouths took care of that for us). You will find a boat though taht is confortable to you and keeps the fun in the sailing.