Is it fun to sail with a spinnaker? I think, yes. Will it help the Hobie 16 class? No.

I think it could split away some of the class, not necessarily by half.

The Hobie 16 is successful as a simple-to-sail boat. If some racers want spinnakers, there are Hobie classes available for that, such as the F18 Tiger.

This effort (by Europe mostly) is another ill conceived attempt to invigorate the H16 class. One along the line of bigger and faster makes better. What makes the 16 great is the simplicity.

If these guys want to sail with spinnakers on a 16, let them race in open class events where it is already permitted. Leave the Hobie Class Rules alone.