Mike, I'm so glad to read your post. So I'm not crazy, in my original post, to suggest that a 3K-0r-so boat is a good starter? I thought it would be, and kinda thunk I was missing something. Good to know otherwise. <br> <br> BTW, I wasn't 'writing about' the wave, I was asking about it. The only two statements I made were to the effect that a) posts on this bb indicated some hassles with an upgrade kit being counter-intuitive, if memory serves, and to say that I enjoyed my sail on a Wave. I guess "locked up " was a poor choice of words. I truely meant "Locked up" as in 'got it done' not "Locked all others out" Shoulda said locked in or accomplished or such. 'swhat I get for dashing off a few graphs on company time w/out editing... sincere thanks for clarifying. <br> <br>Wish I knew more about the Mystere before I paid 4200 for my then 2 year old N 5.0. Somebody please tell me I didn't do too badly. <br> <br>Okay, so how do we address the 'mass marketing' questions in my post??? <br>Mike, what's your opinion of Mark's opinion that "it takes a dealer"? <br> <br>How about product placement? Thomas Crown may be portrayed and described by his luscious costar as "wrecking" a Formula 40(???) and Kevin of California had his hovering trimaran (remember the scene where he literally lifts all of it over a rope by hiking out to windward?) Neither did much for Beachcats. <br> <br>But howzabout a budweizer commercial showing two guys beachcatting... on 5-6 meter boats, regular 20-30 yr old "thrill seekers" (no gills allowed, no zillionaires need apply) dragging out and downing a frosty with bikini chiks? Maybe a Worrell re-enactment theme? Couldn't Hobie or their Parent, (Northrop-Gruman???) pay some director to put a beachcat in a bit somewhere? <br> <br>'Nother take on support for 'mass market' starter boats. Hypothetically: <br>1. Manufacturer, dealers, catclubs, and Big-Box sport-goods stores cooperate. Winners all around, as Manufacturer sells boats, dealer sells upgrades, sailing gear and eventual trade-ups. Cat clubs make themselves available to assist with on-beach support, gain new members, sailing buddies, maybe tiny extra discounts, you name it. Dealer does phone only support and refers hands-on problems to cat clubs. All this outlined to customers in the Big Box Sporting goods store. Manufacturer promises dealers only 'starter' boats to be sold this way. Probably, high end is way too support intensive for this venue anyway. <br> <br>Comments??? <br> <br>I know it's a stretch, your Ideas can't be half as thin, so be brave and post 'em! <br> <br> <br> <br>(To Email me, take the Ihatespam. out of the domain in my displayed email.
