Wonderful responses, Matt- Hobie is indeed lucky to have you around.
I just have to chime in here and ask about the sails.
I recently ordered a new class-legal jib from Murrays. Due to a shipping error, I was first sent an aftermarket jib, and sailed it for a few days. Murrays quickly sent out my Hobie branded jib, and informed me that not only are they the same product, but they are from the same sail loft! The only difference being the Hobie trademark.
I respect all that you said above, but if this is in fact the same sail (essentially) what is the reason for such a drastic price difference? I fully support buying the class-legal parts, and I would even choose to by the Hobie brand if there were a moderate difference in price, but if the same sail is really being sold at a huge price spread, I have to sit back and wonder.
I really don't want to drag you into a full discourse on Hobie's sourcing and product economics, but would you please tell me a little about the Hobie 18 jib?