This is the F16 forum. The point is that Hobie has elected to produce a boat that is extremely close but not F16 compliant.

Price has nothing to do with it. Companies will charge what it costs them to produce the boats they build. Material, labor, shop overhead, tooling etc.

Scooby will probably know, but I would beleive a 220 lb 17' boat is not 104 either. They obviously had some identified market in mind with the boat.

As pointed out Hobie ahs a huge vested interest in the F18. That model built upon following some formula and growing it. Why they elected to follow such a different path with the i baffles me. The only reason I can I can think of is that someone in their management feels the F16 concept over laps too closely with their existing F18 lines.

I know of a few people who would flop classes, but I see the 2 classes as more complimetary to eachother than adversary. Then again I do not see or know the French market and they have been pretty suscessful in the past.