If I had a clean slate I think I would start with the main hull, if it were re-designed into more of a U shaped hull with a round stern, it would give the hull the ability to plane. I would raise the side walls quite a bit higher, I would also make the inside of the hull more like a trench (kind of like a Weta hull). I think the hull should be 20 ft long (it's too short presently to be able to add good fore sails). Definitely needs a better rudder (more like a cat rudder). I would definitely make the hull slightly narrower (forget about using it as a kayak (nobody uses it as a kayak anyway it seems)). I would also make the boat (with AMA's out) much wider, the boat is currently 10 ft wide, that's too narrow, 12 ft wide would give substantially much more flotation (the Windrider 17 is 12 ft wide). I wouldn't make the AMA's any bigger than what they currently are at the waterline (the design is actually quite good), but I would make them more bulbous above the waterline, and lengthen the back end like you suggest, but the extension would be completely above the water line. This way during normal sailing the AMA's would work like currently, but if increased flotation is needed the bulbous portion that's along for the ride up in the air (where it doesn't cause more drag) would take over giving you more reserve flotation.(there is not enough reserve flotation with the current design).
Adding a third AKA brace is probably not necessary, but having an extra bar going across in the area where the rod holders are currently about 3.5 ft wide would be nice. Tramp extensions could then be added so the person in the back seat has the ability to hike out (that would be huge), of course more substantial tramps (stronger) that are tapered in the front and the back (to act as spray skirts) would be a nice addition (just like what is currently on the Windrider 17's). You would be able to sit on any of the tramps (all load bearing).
As far as sails go I'm sure nobody will agree with me there. I would make the main sail exactly like the current sail (furling boomless) but around 120 sq ft (mostly taller), I wouldn't use a single sheet sail, I would make it a full wing sail based on the eppler 420 wing form. This is a super simple sail design that is completely furlable and looks no different from the current sail design. It would have more than double the power of the current sail. From a distance the sail looks no different from the current sail, and operates very similar (but way safer). I would definitely offer an optional 35-40 sq ft wing jib (the things really work and are simple to use and operate, and really safe). I would then add an optional roto furled code zero to the bow (around 140 sq ft), that would only be used occasionally on downwind (95% of the time your sailing faster than the wind with wing sails, so spinnakers only have limited use). With the wing main and jib the boat will easily sail 2x wind speed, and with the planning hull you shouldn't have that 8-10 mph upper speed limit (like the current design has).
I would keep the mirage drives for sure, and definitely make sure the new seats fit the boat (maybe 3 seats if there is room), I would design the boat around 1000 lbs load capacity and 6 passengers (2 in the seats, and 4 on the extra large heavy duty tramps). Wing seats (HAKA's) should be an option.
Yes the boat will be slightly heavier (240-260 lbs), but this is still way lighter than a Windrider 17 that weighs in well over 400 lbs, or most cats (most cats are over 350 lbs)
This thing would smoke pretty much anything out there on the market or on the drawing boards today ( IMO).
Its fun to dream
Bob
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I was looking at an overhead view of the TI today and I had a thought (scary I know). If the amas were lengthened by 2-3 feet, lengthen the hull by about 6", relocate the aft aka to behind the rear seat, reverse the rear aka braces so that they attach just in front if the rear seat, and add an additional front aka brace that attaches just in front if the front seat... This would allow for a couple of things IMO. 1) Larger amas mean more buoyancy reducing the chance of burying the leeward ama. It could also allow for more capacity. 2) You would now have much larger tramps (or hakas depending on your preference) and they would extend back to the rear seat. This would allow the rear seat to hike out along with the front seat. 
