Warbird,

Despite all the Hobie dealor babble the F16's are selling larger number of boat in area's like the USA then Hobie is selling their FX-one. So I'm really not too sure how important that Hobie dealor network truly is. It is not an unimportant issue, but I question whether it is one of the most important issues.

And Warbird lets not forget that I was instrumental in getting this F16 class from nothing into a emerging class internationally. All while NOT having a Hobie like dealor network. The FX-one design is still very much struggling at that. So I think I do have a full picture of the situation; don't you agree ?

Would I love to have a dealor network like Hobie ? Yes.

Would we ever get one ? Doubtfull even in the long run.

Will we need one ? Not really, there are other ways; DHL and Fedex are a gift from haven for us.

Furthermore I really do not believe that the F16 boats and class is at all attractive to real novices. The boat is just too complicated and challenging for that. Those sailors will always gravitate to very inexpensive second hand boats like 10 year old beat up Hobie's and likewise boats. It is the sailors which have a few years on such a boat and who are looking for a upgrade that the F16 class is attractive too. These are more serious about their sailing and have learned how NOT to break rudders and other design specific stuff often. The smaller stuff that does still wear down like blocks and lines can then be readily bought at your hobie dealor and everything is fine.

This is the way we always played it and look at where it has brought us. We are the only new class with any shot at greater international succes in the last 10 years; a role possible shared with the Spitfire design. So we must be doing something right or maybe we are not doing anything important wrong.

Wouter