Normally jib-driven boats do just fine upwind. BlueJ is jib-only. The extra apparent wind speed while going upwind helps greatly. Downwind without a kite and you’re hosed. The big weakness of this sailplan is light-moderate close reaching under jib. That’s why code 0s were invented!Not taken as disparaging. "Serious" is too subjective, we need a better word to get our meaning across that doesn't carry any unintended attitude.
My point to DayDreamer and other late model Hunter owners on this forum that may race or want to race is, it is very difficult in the windward/leeward PHRF world to be successful limited with the small jib. It does not seem to be accounted for in the ratings in most areas. I'm not saying there is a bias against late model Hunters and that committees don't want them to finish well and make other boats look bad, that's just the way it is. That's why I race in the club class along with the other reasons involving the time and cost to "seriously" race a boat. It does penalize better crews, but it makes you improve where you can if you want to keep finishing well.
In any case, the goal is to get more boats on the starting line. Sounds likes it’s working at your club!