Old boat, New Almost Everything, Still a Competitive Racer?

Hi All,
I wanted to check in on everyones opinion as far as my boat setup compared to a brand new H16.

Ive got a 1988 cat, Coleman boat on which Ive switched out just about everything except for the hulls, rudders, frame and mast. Im a tinkerer by nature so I dig upgrades.

Anyway Ive got brand new 08 cornado sails, new rigging, all new lines, Harken blocks and downhaul, jib traveler setup and aussie jib halyard.

I know that the new hulls are probably smoother and lighter and the new tramp frame is probably stiffer but all that aside, is a new boat THAT much better, worth spending 3 times the money if you wanted to race a bit?

Assuming sailing skills were equal, which they arent. Im a good boat handler, but still new to the whole racecourse, fastest way from here to there thing. Would an older boat be giving up 2-5% speed and pointing ability or is it like 10-20%

Thanks again and see you on the water,

Blair

_________________
Blair T

I love these calm moments before the storm, it reminds me of Beethoven...


'02 Hobie Tiger USA 1152

Probably better if you heard from a guy named Dan Borg.I am pretty sure he races with an older boat with new sails and he does extremely well.Also at this years N.A.'s the guy that came in 2nd was on a borrowed older boat.With your upgrades(especially new sails)you should not be giving up much if anything in terms of boat speed or pointing ability.Your 1988 boat should be close to min. weight.Boat handling and tactics are the biggest determinant of your position when racing.BTW you probably want to include fiberglass rudders as part of your upgrade.They flex less and help you point better.