The answer is: marketing.

In every industry there are examples of a better product being outsold by an inferior product. One thing I've learned about marketing is that you can't underestimate the general public. Harsh but true. That's why simply making the best, safest, most fun boat will never make them sell (although it should make it easier). The public has to hear and internalize the message.

Effective marketing takes tremendous time, smarts, and money. A marketing campaign large enough to make a difference for companies the size of most cat builders would require long range business planning, taking out large business loans, and operating in negative cash mode for a while. Even Hobie's marketing in the US is minimal and well below a maintenance level, let alone a growth level.