Matt,

Let's make sure we are comparing "apples to apples" ... "oranges to oranges".

My 1984' H18SE was purchased from the factory and sold to me by my local dealer w/ "black" "EPO" rudders .... so I believe my rudder blades are "class legal".

Are you refering to the new "EPOV2" blades that are currently availible from Hobie???

Also note the origonal date of my TheMightyHobie18's manufacture ... that means my boat came from the factory w/ the "old" TheMightyHobie18 Rudder Assmblies. The rudder assemblies where "updated" under the Hobie Cat Co's program of installing a "new" H17/TheMightyHobie18 retro-fit kit in 1987-88 ..... and that is considered "class legal". And how about the H16 Rudder Assemblies and guegeons ...... they are not the same as origonally supplied in the 1970's are they?????

After the stock of "origonal" EPO's was depleted, the rudders next supplied as origonal equipment/replacement parts were ..... (there is no "polite" way to say this) PURE JUNK!!!! the white ones ... the black plastic ones .... JUNK, JUNK, JUNK!!!!!

Let's review the language in Rules 1.1 and 1.2 as you maybe defining the rule alittle to tightly .... IMHO

1.1: Rudder Blades and assemblies shall be stock as supplied by Hobie Cat Co. Hmmmmmmmmm ..... Are not the rudder casings and rudder blades purchsed through and supplied by "Hobie Cat Co"???? There is no mention in the rule: of as supplied "origonally" on the boat when sold by Hobie Cat Co.

1.2: Hobie Cat Co rudder assemblies and blades shall not be modified except minimum filing to improve fit and function. .... Hmmmmmmm .... Who gets to define "minimum" ... are there any "minimum" measurements/dimensions defined????? As I read that rule I'm allowed to fit or improve function of any blade or assembly (as supplied by Hobie Cat Co) w/ a minimum of filing. I would additionally argue that each installation is unique due to the variations due to "Mass-Production" techniques used by the Hobie Cat Co, therefore the "Minimum" filing requiered varies from boat to boat.

So what course of action would you recommend since: the origonal EPO's are no longer availible, the plastic rudder blades are un-acceptable because of performance issues, and class rules effectively outlaw the use of "EPOV2's on H17's, TheMightyHobie18's and Waves in your opinion ..... but are OK for use on H16'???

Harry Murphey

PS: You have an E-Mail in your Inbox from Div11 Yahoo Group ..... Key Words are: ... Div11 Youth Sailors ... RHYC ... invited ... Junior Olympics ... July 9-11th, 2010. !!!!!PLEASE READ!!!!!

It should also be in Chris's Inbox ....

We have some work to do .....