Dear wouter

How come you say:
"Those hulls are not in high regard among designers"
which designers, who has said that?
"They are already struggling in waves"
Have you ever sailed a Javelin? I guess not, but I did and I was suprised how nice it was to sail through a choppy 0.5 - 1m sea, compared to my ventilo. Mutch less motion!

Have you looked at the movies from the ICCT 2003. Sometimes the conditions where there quite choppy too.

I think we should not bash other boats and designs, every boat has advantages and disadvantages. All I can tell you, that I am quite happy with my 18HT, regardless that I sailed on the Taipan and F18 in different conditions.

Hey all the best and I hope to see you in Texel!
there are allready some 18HT registered and I guess there will be even more!

BTW Timbo:
I wouldn't cut the mast, as wouter said, the mast will be way to stiff then. As the boat is designed for two.
Maybe using some of the old Inter 18 carbon masts and mainsail, if it is just for recreation sailing?
I woudn't shorten the plattform, I guess the boat would never be competitive compared to other F16, it would be to heavy.