We're talking about two different Stephens here. I didn't post - through Rick - that note. I do, however, support its author and think that just because PU was on the Board when open classes were allowed doesn't give him some divine right to come on with a heavy hand when he decides that they shouldn't be allowed. When he, and others, allowed an open class they created a situation similar to getting toothpaste back into the tube. There are more gentle ways to achieve similar goals - such as limiting fleet and division board-member positions to Hobie owners. But PU has come on so strong here that he's put a nasty crimp in a sport that is, frankly, an almost totally amateur endeavor geared mostly toward families and those looking for an easy-going weekend. Clearly, Hobie Co needs us way more than we need them. What national company wouldn't trip over themselves for thousands of dedicated, wealthy customers who spend thousands of dollars every year on that company's product. Why didn't PU negotiate more support from the profit-making Hobie Co. in return for more support from the private, non-profit class organization. In his position with IHCA he is responsible for selling us all short. If he was on The Apprentice, Donald Trump would be saying, "You're fired."

When you say that the class has been deeply divided over this subject since open sailing was allowed, I can't really see that. Based on the response from most in this thread, the divisiveness has come from forcing a separation of the classes. Prior to this the few people suffering from allowing open events were those in power at NAHCA and IHCA. In our area, Denver, Hobie didn't suffer. The few Nacras and Prindles that came to Hobie regattas have switched to Hobies without any pressure from us and that's without a dealer in our area for more than a year! Without the open class it's doubtful that these sailors would have come to our events and unless Hobie gets on the ball and gets a dealer going in this area, these events will just get smaller.

My intent is not to place blame, but to urge caution in a new environment for our sport. While the NAHCA and IHCA are fully capable of running day-to-day tasks, they should have called for a membership-wide vote - including detailed input from Hobie Co. and all Division commodores - before enacting such an impactive change. This is not a personal attack but a reckoning of actions taken.