Thanks Steve. I had already re-read what it says on the F-16 web site and realized it apparently is referring to handicap racing.
And no, I was not referring to the Hooter. I was referring to all the older and smaller classes that could fit into the F-16 class either as is or with modifications. The litany of rules and measurements is very intimidating to me. It sounds like an attempt to create a one-design class that happens to allow various hull styles from various manufacturers. Maybe that is the intent.

But since you mention the Hooter, I am now curious as to what ISAF has to do with sail measurements. The Formula 16 class is not an ISAF class, is it? And neither is the Taipan 4.9. And the Portsmouth modification factor is the same for all large headsails -- spinnaker, genoa, gennaker, reacher, Hooter, etc. -- which indicates that the person doing the handicapping must think they are all equally beneficial.

Heck, if the reason for not allowing the Hooter instead of a spinnaker is fear that it will be used upwind in light air, why can't that just be made illegal to do when racing in class? And then supposedly it is a detriment, isn't it -- having all that windage wrapped around the stay?

My only personal interest in the Hooter is that I think it would make the F-16 class more appealing to women, older people and kids.

P.S. What did you mean about Rick proving something about the Hooter? He has only raced one time against other Formula 16's, and he can't even remember whether he used the spinnaker or the Hooter, but he didn't do very well, because it was two men on the boat and crew weight was over 400 lbs.