Mark,

The boat weight is not an issue and you will have to ask someone else; it doesn't matter as they are all very close. The mast weight I think is around 6 lbs, + or -, don't quote me. ** YES, the F17 is heading to EU in both uni and sloop configurations! ** The carbon mast is still available and all the cost issues need to be addressed with a dealer. EU ratings? Over here in the US we have our own system, so who cares?
3K+ to me is a big enough difference to influence my purchasing power. The savings can be applied to a whole bunch of things!

Bob <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
BTW, my wife thinks the F17 is the best boat I've ever owned! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, it was me, but my question was actually not about the effect of the mast material per se, but the effect of the weight difference that results from the different choices of mast. Bob said there were no performance differences, but since weight is one of the inputs to the Texel Rating (right?) it wasn't clear to me that Texel would rate the two configurations the same - regardless of whether they both race OD together in the US.

The only reason that you might need 2 people to put up a mast is the second person would put the pin in the forestay. This goes for both F17, F16 etc. The weight is not an issue with regards to needing 1 person or 2. I sometimes use my spin halyard and run it around the bridle and back to the tramp. Then when I get the mast up I can tie or cleat the halyard tight and then walk around and put the pin in.