Not going to get into a who's faster arguement but we got around the course A LOT faster... these guys spent lots of time swimming in the 25-30 knot conditions, they also didn't seem as efficient in those conditions.
They make "starter" models that are fiberglass that are low to mid teens and I think the bladeriders are 15-16K.
The big thing is that all the guys that sail these boats well are technoweenies like Jake.... they have a really good understanding on what is going on underneath them.