Why did it not take off in the US?

• Hobie and Nacra went after F18 instead - so no big established brand and dealer network
• Cat rig is less flexible than a sloop rig (think distance racing)
• Hull shape and rear beam freeboard make the boat less forgiving and enjoyable in rough stuff than the F18 and N20 designs
• Boat becomes a handful in big wind vs F18/N20 (tall stick, big sail, narrow beam, limited forward hull volume) - making it less attractive to ocean distance racers.

As already mentioned, great boats on a lake in the right wind conditions.

Chris.