Okay, with a normal Hobie 18 without wings, for racing in light air, you have to get your crew weight way forward to keep the sterns from dragging.

In the case of a Hobie 18 Magnum, the wings are putting even more weight toward the aft end of the boat, so you have to get the crew weight even MORE forward to compensate (if racing). And there is only so far forward that you can get. Plus, the way the wings are mounted create an obstacle to get over in order to get onto the bows -- knee and shin-banger.

And what is the point of having those nice comfy wings to sit on if the boat is going to go slower? Fine for cruising, but NOT for racing.

On the other hand, in heavy air, the wings can be an advantage, because then you want the weight farther back, and you get better leverage to keep the boat upright by sitting on the wings or trapezing off the wings. Trouble is that most people, at least in the United States, do not sail in enough wind most of the time to make the wings an asset.

And, of course, sailing in heavy air with more weight, width and leverage puts more strain on the standing rigging. I'm sure many of us have seen masts break when somebody takes a beach cat out in strong wind with three or four big guys on it to hold it down. Something has to give, and usually it is the mast.