I have to agree with Chris on this one, Kevin. You've managed, in very short order, to piss off the largest multihull class in North America. You have much to learn when it comes to courtesy and protocol.

Some background for everyone else:
Some time ago, Hobie Cat USA was approached to provide boats for the Alter Cup. The original plan was to use the Hobie 16 w/spin boats that will be used for the US qualifier to the ISAF Youth Worlds in Brazil. The boats would be used for that event, then the Alter Cup, then be shipped to Brazil for the ISAF event.

The Alter Cup was to be held at Mission Bay Yacht Club in late March. They had even gotten so far as to select a PRO for the event.

Unfortunately, there is an on-going issue within the IHCA regarding the H-16 w/spin. North America is adamantly opposed to introducing another class variant. Europe has been pushing the spin hard for the last five years and so far has managed to get it included in the class rules for "special youth events only". To have an adult event in the H-16 w/spin would severely weaken North America's position against the spinnaker.

Since holding an adult Alter Cup in H-16 w/spin is not consistent with the class rules, Kevin approached Chris to poll the HCA-NA Board to allow the spin in the Alter Cup. The HCA-NA Board did not approve the proposal. Hobie Cat Co. was prepared to supply the boats without spinnakers, but at additional cost ($7,000 vs. $5,000) to strip the hardware off the boats.

While we understand your desire not to get involved in class politics, and that it would have been more expensive, you caused Chris and the HCA-NA board to waste their time - and then insult them by not so much as making a phone call to let him know of your committee's decision.

Poor form.