I have owned and sailed my H-16 for 21 years. I usually single hand it and sail mostly on lakes though occasionally on the ocean. I don't think I would single hand it on the ocean just for safety. The boom is no issue and no problem.

Pitchpoling is a possibility with the H-16 which has a tendency to bury a bow but I have only done it twice that I remember. There is a deflector plate that I have seen mounted on the bows to stop that but I don't know how well it works.

Speed- I have clocked the H-16 at 18 mph with a GPS. There were times when I was going faster but couldn't look at the GPS, I was too busy. I believe the Nacra is faster but I don't know from experience.

As for maintenance, I have done very little in 21 years. I replaced shrouds a couple of times and the rudder cams which are almost an expendable item. I did wear the bottom of the hulls down dragging the boat on the beach. Someone helped me build them up with resin using aluminum tape to form channels and pouring the resin on. It is not shaped to the hull but I never have had another problem in the 12 or 13 years since it was done.

I step my mast by myself and timed it at a little over 15 minutes. Raising the sail after launching is another 10 or 15 minutes.

I have heard (only by rumor) that the Nacras are a little lighter construction and don't stand up to abuse. I have no complaints about my H-16 and wouldn't trade it.

Howard