Hi Mimi,

O.K., let's keep those two words, ONE DESIGN, in the forefront. That is a good idea because many people think that if it is supplied by Hobie that it is automatically one design. Not even close! First, the boat started out with two very different kinds of tramps, so what difference did it make if owners developed something that they personally liked when a replacement was necessary? (except they got something they liked better for less $)Second, which HOBIE rudders should the owners have brought to the HAVAMEGA regatta? The ones the boat came with when they purchased it or the cheap plastic ones they are supplying now that also come with a shorter tiller that makes it harder to race the boat? Even with Hobie supplied equipment there would be many possible different versions on the beach! For a while Hobie supplied heavy white rudders that broke easily and then started supplying lighter black rudders that were much better. Now the cheap plastic ones. ONE DESIGN? Not even close. Hobie supplies whatever is good for their needs at the moment without ANY consideration or input or consultation with owners. Does that really sound like such a great idea to you? Owners want a say in their class which is why ICWA works.

Staying on focus; ONE DESIGN. Let's discuss sails. Years ago Rick White worked with Calvert sails in the Keys and I worked in Toledo with Greiner Sails to develop better sails for the Wave. We made good progress and it was important to have sails made by another vendor to your specs to race well as they had a clear advantage over Hobie supplied sails. A few years later, the Hobies supplied for the IWCA Nationals had much fuller sails and were about even with anyone else's sails and there was a competitor there who described how he had worked with Hobie to get a better sail design. Most of the long term successful one design classes open their sail making; besides keeping the boat moving better and getting something that is best for each competitor, you also get many more people interested in the succes of the class.

ONE DESIGN? That seems to mean to Hobie that it is one design ONLY IF THEY SUPPLY it, regardless of the design or shape of the part. Your comptip mast experience is just another example. SO everyone, this whole discussion about ONE DESIGN is a red herring. It is more about ONE SUPPLIER.

I could write a whole lot more about the Hobie NA Wave Class not even being a class but that is not on topic. This was all about ONE SUPPLIER, oops, ONE DESIGN.