Simon,

I think you will find that the board aspect ratio will be so close that the Texel rating difference will be so small as to not make even half a point difference, same for mast height, sail area (all very close) and all the other factors that count. Any small difference in the rating would seem to have no impact on the quality of the racing and the boats seem very equal.

Currently the boats that you call F16 are running a rating difference of 5 points or so, hardly a close thing.