The 18 HT is the way to go -history of the 18 has already proved that the 18 just wasn't fast enough -powered correctly for most NA conditions .The I18 was allowed larger sails to compensate for this .The 18 development was then dumped for the 20 and F18 .Hobie and Mystere at least have the credibility to stand behind their comitments .Performance decided to take 2 steps back and reduce sail and go back to Al masts

did this drop the boat price ~$2000 for the price of Carbon/Al) .It's fine to say we're matching the Eu 18's but "hay" this's North America shouldn't we be trying to improve things ? Technology is to make things easier for us to go faster !? The boats can only go faster by more horsepower -sail area ,weight reduction ,better sails(aerodynamics) right ?Instead of upping the bar ,the intent of North American class associations is to suck in behind inferior tech at a higher cost .The next thing will be wood masts and canvas sails right ?- just cuse that's what the rest are doing ............