Mbounds,

The 80's sail selections you posted look notoriously like the current models available. Is this how much they've changed in almost THIRTY YEARS!!!!!??????. Holy cow, someone did fall asleep at the wheel!!!!

And the reason that racers make up a small percentage of sales for Hobie is that no one else is buying these catamarans. Back in the days that the H14 and TheMightyHobie18 were in production, were racers and veteran sailors the only ones buying? I'm sure they discontinue models because there is not enough demand to justify production. Im sure if that demand existed they would gladly put them into production. And I dont think that demand is going to come from monohull converts or sail club trappings.

As far as the photo of the Tiger, I agree in that it looks better than the 80's models, but the side of my local Metro Bus frankly looks more interesting than that.

I think that the factories should set up tester stores in their regions, where their bread and butter is clothing items (not everyone walking into these stores is going to walk out with a catamaran under their arm) or something like it.

Then if successful they could be franchised, like (I think) most mall stores are.