Matt, like it or not (I'd guess "not"), the class and the mission are inexorably linked, at least for the next three years or so. I think the pissing match between members of ISAF who are Hobie sailors and the reps of Sirena (who apparently make a boat that is even less desirable to sail than the box a Nacra comes in) is flat-out silly. The Hobie class emphatically does not want a spinnaker on the 16. ISAF emphatically wants a spinnaker-rigged youth boat. Duh.

I think that, if you want additional information regarding the specifics: I'll bet you questions would get a quick answer if you popped off a note to Art or Rich Brew. I've seen the details - there's nothing nefarious going on. But don't take my word for it Mr. Stone. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

The Hobie youth grants, according to Bob M., don't always get spent. Along with a Hobie youth, I made a couple of suggestions about how some grant money could go toward putting this kid on a Tiger for F18s. That was not well received, which is none of my business since I let my HCA membership lapse. The HCA youth program, while laudable, is not the same thing as what Art is trying to get set up - they are looking at a direct feeder into ISAF and Olympic events in response to the recent Olympic Event Selection bru-ha-ha.

Your post's tone is pretty harsh - if someone had made that post on the Hobie Forum, demanding financial details, etc., from HCA, I suspect you'd be in line to vociferously defend HCA. Just look at it in that light for a moment. Its not like Art hasn't worked with HCA and Hobie Cat USA plenty of times before. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />