with regards to sailing upwind....

Its really different for each boat. I've never sailed on a H16... but heres the rule of thumb for cats... NEVER PINCH.

If you're racing in a mixed bag with some monos on the same course and you see them pointed right at the weather mark, its tempting to try and show them up. It just wont happen. You relegate the greatest benefit of the catamaran when you pinch. Foot off, get that sail flat as possible, read your telltales and get speed. Plus it makes tacking so much easier when you're going fast