Let's clarify a bit...
Majsteve says:
>>You may not like my "attitude" -- its because I speak the facts.<<
One of the problems here is... many of the "facts" are not quite right. I'm not sure if they are being twisted for effect or if he is just plain un-informed.
1) Jeff Alter does not work for Hobie Cat USA or Hobie Cat France, Brazil, Australia or any Hobie Cat manufacturer. He is a contributor to the class. Jeff donates TONS of his personal time and effort to support Hobie Cat sailing and gets no "pay check" for it. He is a kind and thinking man who loves the sport and the class that his father created. He has a clear understanding of what made Hobie Class racing great to start with and these concepts are still valid today.
2) Hobie Cat USA does tons to support Hobie Cat racing and NAHCA. A few contributions I can think of at the moment are:
Hobie Cat gives Cash support to NAHCA (a large percentage of the NAHCA annual budget). Also, don't forget that the class association used to be 100% Hobie Cat factory. The entire class association staff were paid Hobie Cat employees... There have been hundreds of major events put on by the factory over the years... So where does this notion come from?
>>"As for promoting the class, sport. When did you see the last check from Hobie to NAHCA. I can tell you -- 1972."<<
I would not doubt that the "class support" from Hobie Cat is in the Millions of dollars over these years... last check to NAHCA 1972?... where did that come from? It was The Hobie Class Association back then anyway not NAHCA.
Hobie Cat USA supplies giveaways to every Hobie Cat regatta that asks. Hobie Cat USA pays for and I do the layout and digital work for the bi-monthly NAHCA News cover. This is time consuming and certainly not cheap. We run a contest in every issue with more giveaways. All of this to stimulate interest in the class.
I can't even estimate the amount of time and effort staff put towards support issues. We also personally attend many events. Many of the upper management were Hobie Cat enthusiasts and racers way before working for the company. We have personal histories, interests and caring for the Hobie Class Association that came before employment with the company. It really is not just business interests that drive us to support Hobie Class racing. Does any other Company offer this kind of support to any other catamaran class or association? Any class or association?
It is not easy to sell regatta boat product and is certainly not the most profitable (if there is any) way to do business. It is a costly and time-consuming ordeal that takes a huge toll on the factory personnel. We have been stuck with un-sellable used product many times. It is certainly not, as stated by majsteve:
>> “As for supplying boats for nationals, international and regional events. That is a clearly defined marketing program that is in place to sell boats. And they sell everyone of them after the regatta. Simple supply and demand. Build inventory -- display it and sell it at a perceived value. Thats business 101.” <<
It is a HUGE investment in time and money and in the recent decade, no slam dunk "sales 101".
Hobie Cat supports the US Sailing Fast and Fun program with discounted product, free parts and many other services. We are currently storeing the programs semi trailer and recently refurbished the Hobie Wave fleet without any cost to the program.
3) What is this??
>>"I honestly couldn't tell you due to the "I'd rather sail the box my hobie came in than a nacra" mentality that is prevalent in many fleets."<<
Do you even know where that "sail the box" thing came from???... That's ancient NACRA talk... This certainly is not a Hobie sailors saying or attitude.
4) Don't forget that if NAHCA had not allowed other classes to "join in the fun" a number of years ago... we wouldn't even be having this discussion. It would have been a "just-Hobie" class association as it was originally intended (as all Class associations are supposed to be). That’s why they are called CLASS associations right? (This is quite seperate from the issue of allowing other classes to join in at Hobie fleet events.) We may have lost a couple more fleets without multihull support, but the net outcome would likely have been the same at this point. Hobie Cat and NAHCA are certainly not to blame for this downfall in interest in catamaran sailing (sailing for that matter). That is a complex issue of economics, fading fads, available leisure time, other available interests and many other factors.
The recent decisions by the North American HOBIE Class Association will allow the fleets to focus on what always has been important... Hobie Cat racing! The guidelines are set that allow for fleets to do their own thing with multihull classes. I really don't see what all the fuss is about. If it is multihull control of the NAHCA... forget it... look at NAMSA or somewhere else for that.
The North American Hobie Class Association should remain Hobie oriented first or what is the point of having a Hobie Class Association? I fully support the idea of having multihull starts at Hobie events. I argued for it when it was first proposed. It allows other Hobie models (that don't have numbers) to race as well as allowing other brands. It allows fleets to have larger turnouts... but, Hobie Class racing should remain the focus and goal of Hobie fleets. It is the original Hobie concept, it works and it is the most fun.
