Mark:

There is more than technology to consider. I think that you should consider where you are racing and what is raced there. I see that you are in Northern CA. If you intend to be available for as many regattas as you can find, then you really are limited on the type of boat you can choose. There is a big active Hobie Division up there that will not let you sail in their regattas with other than a Hobie. They have numerous races and are well organized. Check out venues that you want to sail before buying a boat that you may have to come to Southern CA to sail.

I just got back from the Worlds in France and I can assure you that there is no magic to any of the Formula 18s. I think that each of the three mentioned hear had at least a couple in the top ten. I think that another boat that we do not see here, a Mattia, had one in the top ten.

This is a very nice "box rule" boat. I do not think you can go far wrong with any of them. I own a Tiger, sailed an Infusion in France, and have a very good friend that just sold his Nacra F18 that I sailed a lot. They all feel a little different, but they are all about the same performance-wise.

As for price. I think that the Hobies and the Nacras are about the same, within $500, and the Capricorn will run about $2000, or so, more. At this point I would stick with the Hobie or the Nacra, both will have good support. For your location I would look closely at the Hobie. If you were anywhere else except the Northeast, maybe Texas and the middle states, you could pick anything. Great Lakes is probably more Nacras, the Southeast is pretty split, Southwest (here) is mostly but not entirely Hobie. We race more Formula 18 regattas, so manufacture does not matter, as they are run out of Yacht Clubs which favor Formula racing.

Later,
Dan