I'd say it's a bit of lost opportunity on Hobie's part. These boats represent opportunity for sales more in a non-racing market these days. Hobie seems to be pushing the roto-molded boats for that. But there's still people out there that might think the roto molded boats are toys. Their choice is toy or racing machine, and they might choose neither.
I suspect a big part of the non-racing market doesn't care that much about the things that distinguish a roto molded boat from a H17 or TheMightyHobie18 - they want to get into and out of the water quickly so they don't lose all their sailing time, and some of these newer boats do that nicely.
Another part of the non-racing market likes to pick up used boats for cheap, and doesn't want to put out the money for a new boat of any variety. I'm describing me here - we don't drive the market, we pick up used gear that you racers are done playing with. I am very happy with my Prindle 16, and can't see any reason to want a new boat. I might want a somewhat larger used boat, like a used P-18 or H-18.
So why should the non-racing market care about new H17s or H18s?
Jonathan
