The F18 formula works! painted boats, gel coat boats, 1.5 mil sails, 3.0 mil sails.....the performace gains are negligible, it will still be up to the sailor on the boat to win the race. Need proof.....I'm your proof!
Second that. I've seen an older boat I thought was stupid slow go from the back of the fleet to mid fleet, with a change of owner, and a fast boat go from the front to the mid just as fast.
Further, I sail with my son. We kinda suck, and are always mid fleet, (or worse) against some of the finest sailors in the world, who inhabit our fleet. I always thought our poor performance was somehow realted to the boat. Then, I had a champ come aboard, trimming sails and calling tactics. During that race, I lead in three races, not just one upwind leg, but for several legs. I crashed twice while leading (got a bit greedy once, miscommunicated on the other), and had one third place. That was enough proof for me to realize...
...It ain't my friggin boat...
