All the pictures of the A's I've seen have them leaving both boards in the water most of the time, too much work for the crew otherwise.

As to the F17/F20c, I'm pretty sure things are still getting dialed in. IMO, never sailing one of these boat before, but I'm sure those huge boards on the F17 provide more lift going upwind in light-moderate chop than what you reall need. Excess lift=excess drag.