Here are some of the iCat specs Hobie is willing to make public as of yet.
http://www.hobie-cat.net/img/produits/icat_description.pdfAnd Klaus
That's way I think Hobie has different customers in mind. More recrational sailors than racers, which are probably the bulk.
I wonder how many recreational sailors will pop 17.600 Euro's for a boat they are not intending to race anyway. And why none of them would not pop 15.000 Euro's for an extremely similar F16 that in when used in recreational sailing will feel no different then the iCat.
In fact I feel that this particular group of sailors will most likely buy the Nacra 500 at 12.500 Euro's which is actually a very good design with an excellent new suit of modern sails by Performance Sails. The H16 is already at 10.600 Euro's and basically a dog when compared to the Nacra 500. In fact, the Nacra 500 is a hit at my own sailing club. The non-race-oriented guys who used to do Prindle and Hobie's (excl. Tigers) are switching to the Nacra 500.
Wouter
