It's a different mindset from the Prindle /Nacra sailor and entirely consistent with HA's personal interests... He was turned on by dirt bikes, then surfing, then sailing, then X and Y and Z. Building a "better" 16 foot boat after the Hobie 16 would never have been one of his goals.... he was moving on to the next thing that turned him on.
I really don't want to turn this into another long philosophical discussion - but Mark you really had some insight there. That's an interesting point.