My first Hobie 16 was a brand new US build boat from 1989. I started racing with it but had speed problems. After changing the comptip mast to a 1 kg lighter aluminium mast and a new Hobie cat europe sail the speed was ok. I later changed to a French build Hobie 16 (1991) and are now sailing my third Hobie 16 (2005). My choice right now would be an Australian built Hobie 16, but it is a bit expensive to import it.