The F40 basic parameters were a Tornado doubled. I think the minimum displacement was 1850 kgs not 1700
It was pretty easy to build below that weight, even in wood. The first year the boats (all catamarans) had to race offshore, so most had little cuddies. The second year they were inshore race boats only, so the first year's boats were thrown away. No bad thing, most had too low fore/aft stability. Randy Smyth showed that a small jib big mainsail was the way to go. (More sail area offwind that way) The second generation were more seaworthy.
By year 4 an arms race developed and rigs got higher, up to 85ft. Resulting in many pitchpoles.
It was supposed to be an introductory offshore multihull racer (similar to the Open 40 today). So some were built for the Round Britain, the 2STAR etc. But it all fizzled out when too much money was spent on too few day races.
I watched the first year racing, raced in the same regattas as F40's in the second year. The last time I raced against a F40 was in the Swiftsure 2009 when I was crewing on Bad Kitty a 35ft cat and we just beat a souped up F40, the Seattle based Dragonfly.
If you want to see some sailing shots watch the Pierce Brosman Thomas Crown affair (not the Steve Mcqueen version). Some of the best sailing ever seen on a non sailing movie
Richard Woods of Woods Designs
www.sailingcatamarans.com