The time to set up a 16 is a plus. Would it be fair to say that those of us that were there when the beaches were covered with cats, as we've aged and have a little more money to spend, and if we stayed with cats have trended towards bigger/better/faster boats?, which equates to more setup time. Which creates more of a fear factor for newcomers.
Here the biggest fleet is the Miracle 20. My intentions were to sell my 18 and get a 20, then I thought how selfish. For the extra jack I'd spend in the difference I can buy my own novice fleet of 16's for my three sons and friends (one down, two to go).
I've watched the college sail team kids struggle to keep the pointy side up with their monos. What a coo it would be to have catamarans, no matter what manufacturer, in college racing. It has to start somewhere. Greg, Why do so many youth sailing clubs get started with the Lazer or Sunfish, why not H14's? OK, so you can't buy a trailer you can haul out six 14's to the regatta, so why don't we step up and show them how we did it in the old days? It will take another dad/coach to drive. Big deal. Sailing during the school year (i.e. colder months) would be much more pleasurable on a nice stable catamaran.
I realize the amount of precious time it takes to put on a regatta and the more time to hold hands with a newbie, how did we get started?

I have one acre and very understanding neighbors who kid me about the "sailor cut".