[quote=Wolfman]That's certainly the truth. Our local Hobie dealer only brings in Kayaks, Waves and Getaways. With the retail price of a new H16 being around $14,000 CDN there he hasn't sold one in years. The FXone is even more expensive at around $20,000. Hobie seems to be really selling mostly to the family oriented cruisers and resorts, and for that you don't need a performance machine. Not the sailing I'm interested in but it must be making them some money.
One of the problems is definitely the learning curve. To be honest since I have gotten back into it, I have yet to meet a cat sailor (in person) who knew much about sailing. Everything I have learned has been off this site, various books I have read and trial and error. So likely I'm doing a lot of things wrong still.
I guess another issue may be the general perception in sailing that you HAVE to race. I have been in a couple of other sports where the emphasis has been on racing. They tend to go in waves with the young keeners losing interest when they start going to college/university and then the sport has to rebuild. A lot of times those college kids get back into it after they establish a career (and have the spare time available) and have kids but only on a recreational basis. Maybe that's why Hobie is selling more rec boats than performance boats?
Anyway I'm never likely going to race but that doesn't keep me from saving my pennys for a future F18 Infusion. I know a few people with Corvettes but none who race them, sometimes it's just nice to have a cool toy!
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