Thanks PTP for summing up why I personally 'hit back' so hard on the forum when people talk negativly about a product that I represent.
PTP:
"If it keeps catamaran dealers in business when selling our "type" of sailboats is slow then great..."
YES! You nailed it!
I don't know of one catamaran only dealership (Brick and Mortar, not garage guys) in the United States. Most likely, they sell the small Vanguards and Hunters, Hobie Kayaks, etc. That's how we stay in business to provide the support needed for catamaran sailing. It's all necessary. I can tell you most definitely that your local cat dealer is not making a million bucks off of your cat habit. He's probably doing it for the love of high performance sailing.
With all of the competition from the big box marine stores, it's amazing that there are any small boat shops left in the U.S. at all. That's why its great to support your local cat dealer if you can, rather than some big box or mail order place. Establish a relationship with him and tell him what you want him to stock. He'd probably appreciate the help with inventory. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
In our area the Hobie dealership sells kayaks and the like to stay in business to support more.... Kayak sales. The dealer is located literally right around the corner from the only place on the Bay where catamaran sailing/racing is actually on the increase. At the last Annapolis Sailboat show they proudly displayed the kayaks and the trimaran rig, along with an Escape tucked in the back. When I asked if they would have interest in what was going on in their own backyard, I was told by the area rep that "the days of 100 boat regattas are over" and their money was in kayaks. Talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy.
We've grown an A-Cat Fleet and a NACRA-20 Fleet in addition to the open class racing going on. A little interest from a dealer might have made the next one to build a Tiger Fleet. Instead, F-16s are popping up, 3 new Blades in addition to the two Taipans we already had.
If you're waiting for the 100 boat fleet to materialize before you feel like getting involved, you're part of the problem, not the solution.
As for supporting the local stores, this outfit alone drove me to the mail-order houses when I was still sailing Hobies. I'm of the opinion now that my business goes to the most helpful and reliable, and these days that's mostly mail-order for our area. Big box stores in our area have very little overlap, except for kayaks, rope, and some blocks. I'm starting to feel like a certain cat company is becoming irrelevant.
That may be a little raw, sorry.
