You know this is a bunch of bs. yes sure weight is related to cost but the f18 weight was deliberately designed with the thought of keeping the cost of the boats down, and also so that anyone could home build one if they wanted to. If f18s were prepreg carbon with carbon masts bla bla bla then the cost would be a lot higher and there would be a hell of a lot less sailors in the class. The f18s of today could probably shed 50 lbs easily enough but why wreck the class? The f16 class has the opportunity to bring a lighter boat in and good for them..nothing wrong with that, but the f18 class weight was formed around the thinking of the day. the NEXT big thing (HT, M20, eagle 20?) can reduce their class weight whatever to they think the masses can afford. 400lb beach cats really aren't a problem to move around with 2 people who are in shape. Hell I was launching and retrieving my Nacra 6.0 (420lbs) by myself up a soft sand beach. not easy but I only had to go 20 feet. So don't blame the manufacturers.