Regarding the new Nacra Formula 18:
1. Some will not like its looks. There will be people that prefer the "sleeker" look of the older boat. New boat has wide hulls.
2. There is not a tremendous difference in speed mostly pointing. I do not know why but the newer boat crabs up on puffs a bit better.
3. Older design will be better in the lighter winds due to the thinner hull shape.


Newer design offers:
1. More bouyancy
2. Seems to sail with a bit less rocking in waves.
3. Skipper and crew sail a bit further back on boat, as that is where the fatest part of the boat is.
4. Trampoline sits a little higher out of the water so fewer waves will hit the back crossbar.

Old boat will not be obsolete, as the Capricorn has not yet displaced all other boats on the market, and this boat uses similar concepts. It will take a couple of years to prove any added performance, I think.

All that said, I liked sailing on it. I would like to try racing it.

Later,
Dan