Has the F18 got faster?

Of Course!

So has the A class (hull shape), and the Tornado Class (carbon stick) and any other developmental class (F14 or F16). Not to mention sail shape and materials.

The ability of a rating system to reflect these small changes coupled with the noise in finishing positions in a race make it impossible to resolve improvements of less then 1 or 2 %.

Mark

Yes, and not just newer designs but throught the evolution of existing ones - e.g. in the case of the Hobie Tiger from the pinhead main + bag launch spin of the early boats to the large square top and mid pole snuffer of the latest incarnation.

But as Mark points out these are small incremental improvements. The biggest variables are still sailing skill and the suitability of each type of boat to the wind/wave state.

Chris.

I heard some remarks from the Nacra F18 Worlds, held in Michigan, that the foreign F18 sailors remark that we (the U.S.) have really stepped up our game and are becoming more competitive. I think as far as speed goes, as a group we've really been benefiting mostly from the large class competition.

I think the technology has increased speed a little bit - mostly sail cuts...but not that much.

Forget what these boys say....

The F-18 is exactly the same speed as it was when it started.

Now leave our yardstick / handicap alone and move on..... There is nothing to see here.

Does it matter?? The whole idea of F18 is to race without yardstick, against similar boats

But they don't always do that do they ?

They also race in handicap events.

In my opinion its Technique-Technique-Technique, hardware to use the technique and sails. In that order.

I always find it funny that the people who know the technique can take a slow boat and make it competative.