Spinnaker future

Probably has something to do with why the H-16 Spinnaker is a discontinued item. We just got the last 3 for an overseas customer.Brian C.

When you say "class legal" for H16 spinnaker, there is no such thing in North America. There is a Hobie manufactured spinnaker that Brian is saying is no longer available in the U.S., but if you're going to sail recreationally, you can modify an existing or have manufactured a spinnaker.

Appendix B
IHCA Supplement to the International Hobie Cat 16 Class Rules.
THE USE OF THIS SUPPLEMENT IS AUTHORISED FOR YOUTH EVENTS ONLY.
1. The IHCA General Class Rules and the Hobie Cat 16 Class Rules are part of these rules.
2. Only spinnaker sails, bowsprits and snuffer kits built from HOBIE CAT CO. approved patterns and manufactured
by or for HOBIE CAT CO. are class legal.
3. The Hobie 16 class spinnaker of maximum 17,65 m2, the bowsprit of 3200mm length (+/- 5 mm) and the
snuffer as supplied by a HOBIE CAT CO. shall be carried during class events when this supplement is in
force.
4. The bowsprit shall be fixed on the longitudinal centre line of the boat as provided by the manufacturer. Bowsprits
shall have a blunt end cap fitted. Bowsprit bridle wire length shall not be shorter than 1595 mm. Additional
supporting lines for the bowsprit may be mounted and/or rigged in any manner.
5. The head of the spinnaker shall not be hoisted higher than 6865 mm from the base of the extrusion. At the
halyard block or keeper the bearing surface of the halyard shall be no more than 70 mm from the surface of
the mast. For the purposes of measurement, the halyard shall be pulled tight to the tack fitting.
6. Spinnaker sheet blocks of different design or make may be used. Additional blocks may be added. The spinnaker
sheet blocks and spinnaker running gear may be mounted/rigged in any manner.
7. Tapered sheets, lines and halyards for the spinnaker are permitted.
8. Line(s), elastic cord(s) and covers may be added as tangle preventers for jib sheet lines, spinnaker and spinnaker
sheet/halyard lines.
9. Adjustable rope luff and leech lines may be installed within existing luff and leech tapes on spinnakers.

However, the North American Region does not control what the International Hobie Class Association Rules Committee and IHCA Council does.
We have a say, but we do not control. We have fought this ever since it was first introduced at the 2003 IHCA AGM in Singapore.

I understand that we cannot "rule the world" and thank God for that!
However, we are at least in control of our own destiny, at least I hope so.
Even if IHCA rules in favor of the additional equipement doesn't HCA have the option of preventing the splintering of the class here in the USA ?

S