Questions about older boats.

Can an older (mid 80s) H 16 be competitive?

I'd like to get a newer (2000+) boat, but I'm having trouble finding one. I've seen a lot of mid 80s boats for sale. I'm thinking about buying one and upgrading it. Will new sails, running rigging, standing rigging, mainsheet and jibsheet systems, and tramp get an older boat close to the performance of a newer one? I'd also plan on polishing the hulls and epoxying the frame to stiffen it up.

Thanks

I have an '88 that is very competitive. Hulls are solid, take on very little water and don't weigh much more than minimum. Sails were the only things that I felt were sub-par and recently upgraded both. Everything else is reasonably priced to fix or upgrade. Unless you're an elite level sailor, an older boat with solid hulls, mast, decent sails, and doesn't weigh too much over minimum will compare favorably with the newer boats.
That being said, you have a higher probability of something major failing on the older boats.

I agree

Many of us make more costly mistakes in tacking, jibing, setting sails, strategy decisions, etc than will be lost if your boat has a few extra pounds of water weight. You will also find that many of today's racers are also above weight.

Was just at a race and watched boats from mid 80s to 01 all be competitive.

That said...Good sails are a must.