We actually sold the fox with aluminum masts after a VERY short attempt at using CompTips, so that wasn't it. I think the deal that killed it was here already. The I20 is sold in the USA with an over sized sail plan. The Fox was a Euro F20... we could have had an F20 fleet here in the US but for Performance making the I20 non-conforming.
See? Here we go again. The Fox's failure was Performance's fault for not conforming. A little bit of thought into the Fox rig and a US version of F-20 could have materialized with two manufacturers. The H-20 could have retired just like the 6.0 and Hobie would have a more modern boat as its replacement, and we wouldn't be having this conversation. The Tybee could be featuring both. Instead, it's Performance's fault for adjusting the product to the market place. Bad, bad, Performance.
But - I want to say that I have the utmost respect for the Matt and the other Hobie dealers and techs that show up here. I hope they realize that what sounds like everybody on a hate fest aimed at them is really everybody frustrated and sad. We do love Hobie for what it has done for the sport. Those of us that have sailed and raced Hobies still have a soft spot in our hearts for the boats and the company. But the company and the community seem to be taking different paths.
Yes, everybody here realizes that Hobie is doing really well as a company. We all realize that Hobie is answering a market call with the roto-molded boats they are selling, and that has been a great business decision for them. We understand that, we really do. And we're happy that the company is thriving.
But it should be obvious now that the people in this community aren't as interested in those products for the most part. So when we hear statements that Hobie is a leader in the sport some just shake their heads. That's part of the frustration here as well. We're not currently interested in Kayaks. And they don't see Hobie as even desiring to focus on what this community is looking for anymore, which adds to the frustration. It may be just a matter of perception, but in so many matters, perception is reality.
Anyway, I hope continued success for Hobie, Matt, and the dealers. I also look forward to the day when they decide to bring out an A-Cat, an F-16, a new 20', or an update to the Tiger. Out of that list, only the 20 is outside the company's concentration on the 12-18 foot market.
