Thanks for the feedback everyone ... yeah it IS crazy that there are no beachcat dealers in the LA area ... bakersfield is about an hour and a half away which isn't too far but still a little inconveniant. We checked out this place in North Hollywood called The Catamaran Store. There was an older fella there who seemed slightly anti-Hobie and was all about the Prindle. He had two Prindles there in his store and kept showing us the differences and "improvements" on the Prindle vs. the Hobie. He said he would help us out but I'd feel more comfortable with someone who actually dealt with and would be more enthusiastic about Hobie-cats. I did come across another place on-line called Action Watersports in Marina Del Rey .. says they carry a large stock of used parts for Hobie... anyone know about it? I am interested in your offer, Jeremy, and I will be emailing you tomorrrow.