Question for Hobie employee

Today when I received and unpacked my tandem island I noticed that the boat had been engraved in the plastic with the word "Demo" I just need to know if the quality is the same in a demo boat Is there any issue with these boats. When I purchased this boat I was told it was new not a demo and did not discover this until I was unwrapping it. It does not appear to have ever been used.

It is my understanding that Islands marked "Demo" have different warranty implications. If your paperwork does not include the identification as a demo boat, I believe you are entitled to redress from the dealer, either by way of partial refund or replacement with a non-demo boat.

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker

DEMO models are sold to dealers to be used as DEMOs... Not to be sold new. There are discounts given to dealers and restrictions on when they can sell. There may be blems on the boat. There is no limitation on the warranty.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Thank you for the information I just hope there is no issue with the boat.

As you can see from Matt's response, Demo boats are not supposed to be sold New by the dealer, who gets a demo boat at a reduced price (and it may suffer from some blemishes). I believe that you should have been given a special deal if the dealer sold you a demo boat new against Hobie policy.

While you might well be entirely satisfied with the condition of your new purchase, that engraved word "demo," will probably have a negative impact on sale price when you eventually do sell.

Maybe your dealer can offer you a substantial discount on a spinkit (for example). I would certainly expect the dealer to come to the party...

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker