There is no need to worry about the upwind or downwind speed of this class. I'd just like to add my experiences with spinnakers to the debate.

Last year I sailed all season with a Stealth R, 17.5 sq m spinnaker and short pole. We consistently had very similar downwind speed to F18s (Tigers, inters etc.)

We won the Uk cat racing series, we sailed off handicap of 102, F18s use 101, so we could only afford to be 1 % slower than the F18s. The only time I sailed against any F18HTs was at Carnac regatta, there were three of them in the long distance race, which started with a 1/2 mile beat then a 15 mile run, we had taken the wrong spinnaker, an old 15 sq m one with holes in it. The F18hts were behind us all the way round, and finally finished about 30 minutes after us. The f16 is not 30 % slower than the 18HT, and is about the same speed as an F18. I have never used a hooter so I can't comment on that.

regards

john pierce