Mary and Blonde Dolly,

You are spot on, concentrating on racing and go faster bits is no way to really grow a class. The best selling boats are slow boats that are easy to sail and easy to own and very few cats (wave being an exception) are that. I am sure the F16 class will grow, compared to another racing cat, but will flounder compared to most really succesful classes like lasers and optimists.

Gareth