Syco15, Thanks for clearing up some points I might have skimmed over too quickly.

In addition to the example you have shown on the Hobie 14, I also have some good war stories.
At last year's Conch Cup, which is a mini-distance race, I sailed a Wave with a Hooter in winds just over 10mph. Since it was a distance race, they applied a heavier handicap. However, the race was almost entirely upwind. I lost the race by only a few seconds. With the proper handicap, I would have won by several minutes.

Started with a short downwind leg. About 45 boats were in the race, and I was in the top 5 at the first mark.
The next mark was to windward (about 10 miles)and it took the entire 10 miles for the Hobie 16s to get past me. (Read an 89 handicap beating a 77 handicap).

And at the Bay Week this year I had the same boat speed as the Mystere 4.3 fleet in winds of 8-10 mph.

The first time I ever tried a Hooter was in the Bay to Ocean Race in Marathon, FL.
There was practically no wind and what wind there was came from the NE, and we were sailing a Northerly course. The wind was supposed to clock more to the east.
It was then I decided to go with the smaller, flatter headsail and hug the coastline to my right.
The air never picked up until very late. So, the RC decided to drop a mark right in front of another Nacra 6.0 (one with a very full spinnaker).
He was way off shore and just after he rounded and headed back to the start (now finish) line the wind filled in from the NW. Ouch!
That meant we had to sail upwind for about a mile to get to the mark, while the first Nacra was off and running with the big sail.
As I rounded that weather mark, I was rueing my decision to carry the smaller sail. Right behind me was another Nacra with a huge spinnaker.
I figured it would only be a few minutes before I got rolled by the guy behind.
I concentrated on the telltales and boat balance waiting for the rush of water from his wake, but none occurred. We were pulling away from him.

Within about 10 minutes we overhauled the first Nacra and passed him to go on for the win.
That shocked me! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

But, it made me a believer. By the way, these guys I am talking about are World Class sailors.., not just local pond good-old-boys. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Good luck,
Rick