As another Californian interested in this class, I'll put in my $0.02 worth in support of the idea of growing it here. I hope to join in the fun...when I can.

Importing a vessel into CA would seem enough of a PITA that buying locally would be worth a good deal extra just to have that BS taken care of. I have no problem assembling and tuning, but handling our Byzantine tax requirements...ugh.

In such a new (locally) class, having a local source of wisdom would be worth a great deal as well.

BTW, I was amused by the recommendation of a windsurfer or kiteboard for SF Bay. I windsurfed there for several years, and we rescued noobs with boards from downwind rocks and beaches pretty much daily. What's needed with any high-skill sport is good instruction, the more the better. I can only assume that it must drive you nuts when many customers think that the act of buying the product should qualify them to sail it to Hawaii and back.

Maybe something useful would be an analysis of the members of this class (especially the ones who've forked over for boats of course). I tend to think of early middle age, technically savvy types, not unlike most windsurfers these days. Is this the correct view of the class?