In order to realize the beauty of one-design racing, I think you have to get involved in some open class racing or PRF racing, where people are forced to always spend money in upgrading equipment because of the hottest thing on the market. I've done all three (one-design, open class, and Portsmouth on monohulls and cats) and the simplest and truest is one-design; it's just skills on the course (assuming you know how to tune the boat).
I know it doesn't make sense, but look at what the F18s are going through now trying to get the best spinnaker launcher.
I know the price of Hobie tramps are unusually high, and we have had a few people in our fleet buy the after-market replacements to save $100, but if they decide to sell the boat to someone who's interested in racing, they'll probably lose that money they saved in the resale value.
Just a thought.
Wyatt
You've missed the point. The arms race still exists in Hobie's version of one design, becuase everyone knows that it doesn't stay the same. Just ask any Hobie 16 or 18 sailor what years to seek out or avoid according to the weight of the boat. Ask a Hobie 20 sailor how the sails have differed greatly in cut over the years from '92 until now. Ask Rick how much the luffs of the Hobie Wave have varied.
It's a great theory (a theory I can agree with), but it's just not reality in this case.
Tim
