David,

The Hobie Class Association started to experiment with allowing non-Hobie F18's at Hobie regattas starting in 2010. The only restrictions are no non-Hobie F18's allowed at regional (there are 5...Mid Winters East, Mid Winters West, Mid Americas, NE Area and NW Area) or national Hobie Class events...since these events received funds from the Class Association. A prime example of the new position was the 2010 Madcatter Regatta in Syracuse, NY. Madcatter was traditionally the Hobie NE Area Championship in the past. Fleet 204 gave up that designation (and Class Association funding) in order to allow non-Hobie F18's to attend. Only 4 boats showed up. But the word got out and in 2011 we had 13 F18's. The NOR specified that the F18's would be raced per F18 class rules...no matter what brand or after market parts as long as the boats complied with F18 rules.

The only thing that has changed is now Hobie F18's...no matter what their configuration as long as they meet the F18 box rule...are now allowed to race at the area championships per Mark Santorelli's opening post. National championships are really a moot point though...there hasn't been an official Hobie Tiger Nationals in years and never one for the Wildcat. That racing has now migrated to USF18 Nationals or CANF18 Nationals.

Hope this helps with your understanding.

John Bauldry
Hobie Wildcat #194
USF18 Northern Area Rep

Last edited by tigerboy1; 01/25/12 06:47 AM.