Hobie USA, Dated Designs?

I spent my late 20's, 30's, ealry 40's completely additcted to windsurfing. Im 50 now and this summer, I still sailed a fair amount but it was all on a Hobie 14 and a keel boat (when I had company such as my kids).

As Ive gotten older, the winds have seemingly become more gusty (not to mention that I now do almost all my sailing at 8500 feet in elevation which really does make the winds gustier) and both the Hobie and the keel boat have much more range than the windsurfer and I assume also a kiteboard. Lots of range has become fairly important to me in my "old age" as I get a lot more fun time on the water and dont have to have every aspect of my life revolve around the perfect windy day as it used to. I think the small cat like the 14 is a great alternative for aging windsurfers - my input is that I just wish it would turn a little better in higher winds.

If I lived were I had consistent higher winds, Id still be windsurfing. However - I dont and most people also dont.

Not trying to convert anyone to windsurfing. In fact, I'd like to be an H-17 owner again (though my wife would probably have my head if I brought it up right now).

I sail 50+ days a year. I sailed over 100 days in 2002. In Texas... Which is notorious for gusty winds.

I can have fun sailing in anything from 5mph on my longboard up to 40+mph winds on my small wave board. Several of us sailed the fringes of Rita last year. Admittedly, some people would not consider the conditions at the ends "fun".

I'm 44 and don't plan to quit anytime soon.

Yes, there are advantages to sailing cats over windsurfing.... Time on the water is not one of them.

Brian C

Don't need a pole or posts to prove the truth of current demographics.

Any marketing will show the Millennial generation is the same size as the Baby boomers, 76 million people. It is great that these roto boats are selling well. It is fantastic that Hobie is the largest selling kayak in North America. Kudos for developing the "AI" giving all ages of people a taste of sailing, and giving people like xavier the ability to lengthen their sailing in to their golden years.

Did you hear the WANT from the young sailor? Something beyond that 14 or 16 starter boat, something new & exciting. Did you hear the NEED from the older windsurfer? Something lighter they can handle by themselves, easier to tack than a 14. The 14 is the right weight, an FX1 is too heavy to rassle up a beach. A Class is too expensive. Can a new boat be built in the $12 to $15K range. Brian has enlightened us on the costs of windsurfing. The technology is there, a light AND durable craft can be achieved with a little kevlar and carbon in the right places. Reading between the lines, I think there's a market for a 21st century boat. AHPC has a US distributor now. What are the Millenial generation going to be sailing 10 years from now? What am I going to sail when my son leaves to start a career/family? Not sure, it won't be a 420 pound H20. Sorry for being selfish.

Historically, Hobie is the company to design a whole new boat/class to fit the bill.

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hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297

Darn the "no PM's on the board"!

Xavier,

We are sailing in Stevenson saturday (9/30) from the public boat launch. Weather is going to be fabulous and winds won't be too high - come out and join us!

tack.n.gybe /at/ gmail /dot/ com

Plus when you get your AI...oooh! Let us know how it is!

_________________
Tim
Unofficial Fleet 72 Communications Officer and Div 4 Webmaster
http://www.hobiefleet72.org
http://www.div4.hobieclass.com/

Brian, can you drink a beer on a windsurfer?

Wait - never mind. I remember seeing a picture of you with a keg of beer on a windsurfer a few years back.

You also have to figure out a way to market to people that live more than a few miles away from water. Help them see the light. I really never understood that New Mexico was a sailing state, who would have thought. Yes, NM has Lakes (Puddles compaired to what most of you are used to sailing on) but we do have a few good lakes for beach cats heck, we even have an active fleet I doubt that there are many if any cities in the US that are truly not a good place to own a beach cat.

I suspose that if it would take more than 3.5 hours to get to a decient (sp) lake I would not have bought this boat.

Since we did buy it, I have been camping more times than I have in my whole life (boy scouting including) I have gotten closer to my children as well. 3 of my children had only seen the Milky Way once or twice and the other maybe 4 times, Now they see it just about every other weekend.

So, why would I buy a boat if I live more than few minutes away from water?

Sailing has to be a very hard thing to learn, doesn't it?

Kids can't really handle those things, can they?

Hey Matt, what would it take to setup a Dealership here In Albuquerque NM? I think our nearest dealer is in Denver or even farther.

Sam

We can't just set up dealers out there. These are independent businesses that choose to carry our products or not. We are making products now that dealers are interested in, so we are getting LOTs of interest. We are currently setting up dealers at a record pace. What could help is for people such as yourself to locate appropriate distributors in your area and inform them of our product. Then let us know who they are. We can have a rep visit them. This is how we got the Anchorage in Colorado to carry Hobie...a local was instrumental in the process.

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

Our problem started a few years back, when it stopped rainning (we are in a drought) our biggest lake is at less than 15% capacity right now. Along with the lakes, the boat shops mostly dried up. I am not sure we even have a power boat shop much less a sail boat shop here

So, if I wanted to open a shop and sell Hobie that is on me? Hummm, I wonder if I could do that out of my house? Would I have to stock boats? Can I get a demo of a tiger

Sam

Hey, our biggest Hobie dealer in Road Island is based out of a House... but they have a big property and the store is actually a store there. A garage really won't do. Yes we do have stocking requirements. But heck! Sub let some space somewhere. You can have what ever boat you want as a demo!

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

My local dealer must have Polaroids of someone at Hobie to stay in business. I talked to them about buying a 20 and was quoted a price that was about $6,500 over list plus shipping. And that was if they decided that they would allow me to buy a boat from them. I believe they think they're making candy in the restroom. Luckily, I was still spending some time in Cali, and was treated very well by the Santa Cruz dealer.

I was also thinking about buying a Wave to kick around on. I called the local dealer and was told someone would call me right back with a price. That was two months ago.

They stock no parts, Hobie or others, so I end up ordering from the Mainland. We've got a fare war going on between airlines so, if I have a day to blow, I can fly to Oahu for $45 round trip and go to West Marine.

Maui could be a hot bed of sailing if there was a dealer that would carry a few boats and do some marketing. The current one doesn't seem to care.

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Matt,

This is strarting to sound like a stupid plan. What are the stocking requirements? We can take this off line if you want. sswari at studioswarch dot com

Thanks
Sam

im in the same boat as gree, in a manner of speaking.

born 1986. bought my first hobie (76 H16 for $500) with a friend in summer 05. We taught ourselves how to sail. looked on the forums here, read a book at the store, fixed it up, and put it on the smallest reservoir youve seen (Im talking approx 4000 acre feet). It was the funnest #($#ing thing we'd ever done. but we didnt get into it because we saw it somewhere (even though we live 20 minutes from Santa cruz, and go to the beach all the time), but because he inherited a 1940 sunfish.

so it really is true that no one knows what they are. about 75% of my parents' friends all owned one or sailed on one. and i didnt know what they are. there really is a lack of publicity. and i honestly dont know how to change that. but i think that working from all the niches of the market up is definitely an appropriate starting point. the new mirage adventure island is definitely going to snag all the rich soccer moms who live in my area and kayak every day to stay fit. and their husbands get curious and do it, and then their kids are like thats pretty cool.

the fact of the matter is, america is getting lazy. they like PWC because they are easy. You watch people drive with trailers straight to the ramp, have a friend back into the water, park the car, and theyre done in 5 minutes. then theres me trying to rig the H14T single handed, back it in, hoist the sail, etc. I love doing it, and am fine with taking the time, but most people dont want to take the time.

Making things simple is the way to grab the new generation. Complicated does not work. Cheap, fast, rotomolded boats will get my generation. And after that first time they fly that hull, they are hooked. They will instantly graduate to a fiberglass classic. and then they will do what our generation is best at: mod it out. i dont know a single person who does not feel compelled to physically improve everyhting they own. i am addicted to DUI improvements on my cat.

So overall, I think Hobie Cat is doing the only thing it can. Now its up to pushing it through on the dealer level, and advertising a wider scale. But in terms of design, I agree that one person cats are needed, and maybe even some trimaran designs. What about rotomolded trimarans? Im not talking hydrofoils, but just a H17Tri the size of the mirage adventure island. Durable, large platform, would go a decent speed. Just a thought. rotomolded is great though.

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Peter Scranton
'14 Tandem Island "Awesome"
'03 Windrider Rave "Menage a Trois"

I have already said in another post that I think Hobie is a great company! But they need people like me and World in Chaos to help get the word out about Hobie cats. I know that sounds kinda sad but if you think about it a few people can really get the word around. I have already said that I have talked three people into buying Hobies. If each of them could do that, what would that make it, nine new sailors!! It could add up fast.

As for the modifications that Chaos talked about, nothing describes our generation better. I am already looking for ways to speed up my 14T. I have seen guys with wings on them and even 1 with a spin. I am already looking for ways to do both of those over the winter.
A boat like the 14 made for speed but still fairly simple to rig would sell like crazy if presented to the right market. I have seen the Hobie Max built by Hobie Europe, would it be possible to build something like that?

Well, I guess that is about all I have to say for now. I am hoping that all this recent talk about getting a younger generation into sailing and building new boats might help get things going.

I guess we will see!

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Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

I see that my reputation for fun is well known outside of Texas.

Brian C

I'm surprised that there is not more interest in the FX-One.

It looks like a really nice boat, and I have thought about purchasing one ater my 16 is paid off.

70% of my sailing is single handed, I want something more durable then an A-Cat, and I have heard that the FX-One with a jib sails well 2-up as well.

It sounds like the perfect boat for me, but nobody else has them, there is no fleet (I could race open class), but then I would miss out on all those great Hobie events

I see no problem with the current line up, what is offered is selling well, It might be more a mistake to offer too diverse of a line up (A perfect marketing example would be Apple Computer in the 90s.)

The only additional boat I would like to see in the line up would be a JR specific boat such as the Dragoon. We need to get more youths into sailing / racing Cat's!