I can understand why Hobie Inc wants to drive a wedge between Hobies & the so-called x-boaters. I think that it is a bad business model, but it is at least understandable. What I don't understand is the desire of many (some?) Hobie sailors to race / sail at one-brand events. What is so magic about Hobie? Why will a bunch of Hobie 16's welcome a single Hobie 17, Hobie 18, Hobie 21 or Hobie Wave at their regatta and then shun a group Prindle 16's that they could compete head to head with?

Tom Liston
25 years of "x-boating"