Having two different yardstick's/ratings for F16 cat and sloop when their performance in either configuration is so close to each other that the only REAL difference between them in either form, is which configuration has the "better" sailors on them at the time, is about as "useful" as having a separate rating for each and every sailor who races no matter what boat they sail. Personal individual "handicaps" ARE often used by clubs for "club" championships but to even think about doing it for an entire "class" is obviously ridiculous, - as ridiculous as having two ratings/yardsticks for differently configured, or different manufactured F16! What would be next- a separate rating for a Stealth, separate rating for Taipan, separate for a Blade, etc. If that was the case there would be absolutely no reason for having any F16 cats at all, they would all just fall back into the "restricted one design class" system that has created the original reasons for the emergence of the "formula" system. The whole concept of the Formula system is that ALL types of formula 16 catamarans sail against each other for “across the line first wins” and any attempt to alter that is an attempt to “bring down” the whole concept of formula racing.
We have not (and will not) see the idea of incorporating separate ratings for different manufactured classes of F18’s, even though there has been considerable argument between sailors as to which class of F18 they see as “the fastest”. The idea of separate ratings for different F18’s would be laughable to most if not all those involved in F18 racing, even though there has been differences in excess of a 1.5% to 2,5% difference between different manufacturers models of F18 bandied about from time to time, that has still never effected the firm resolution that all F18’s sail as F18’s ON THE SAME RATING, as should the F16’s