While is it obvious to everyone that the Hobie is easily the more successful boat in terms of numbers sold and profits generated, it certainly is not the better sailing boat from a performance standpoint. But more importantly, unlike the Tornado, which continued to improve over the past 30 years with changes in construction techniques and rig development, the H16 today is basically stuck at the same performance level it had back in the early '70's. Some think this is terrific...that's fine, enjoy it. But for me, I don't like the idea of a stagnated technology. I want improvement & evolution. I expect that form cars I drive and in the boat I sail.
No one is forcing you to get into an arms race of spending...there are lots of classes out there that outlaw this.
Exactly! If you're worried about sailing against a rich guy whith all the latest go-fast goodies, sell your boat and buy a H-16 so you can re-live the glory days of the 70s. Don't buy a FxHT class boat and then complain about it's development!
I
do get the point someone was trying to make- there is a market niche for a one-design non-developement 18' boat right now, whith super-strict limits on the boats, but no rules about where you get your parts from. A 'po-boys' racing fleet of currently-modern boats that can be built without high-tech methods.
