This is what I miss most about the old days!! If you had asked these questions on the beach back in the '70s, an expert sailor would have taken time, courteously, to explain you have the cart before the horse.

As a newcomer to the H16, you should first be aware of:
Weight distribution- skipper and crew
mast rake
batten tension and location of the "pocket"
and, probably rudder rake.

Come on! Some of you folks that are still doin' it, give this guy a hand!