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Built in the USA...by???
http://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=8855		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  J_Eaton [ Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Built in the USA...by???
As not to hijack a similar thread

At what point in time (if ever) would it be reasonable to consider that Hobie would sell the moulds for the H17, H18 and M20 hulls to the HCANA (class association) so that we members aren't limited to primarily one fiberglass boat (H16) to race in the future?

I think this would enhance continued availability (thru Hobie Cat Co) of all the anodized aluminum pieces (beams, masts, castings) that may be endangered by continued decline in racing attendance.

If production of these boats is not warranted by Hobie, and as proven by reduced sales numbers, how can this, miniscule by comparison, building of a few boats a year in any way threaten Hobie Cat USA overall sales? As stated, over the last 5 years, roto outweighs frp sales 10 to 1?

Or is the plan for us racers just to grow old and die off, start racing roto boats, or all become members of H16CANA?
Author:  mmiller [ Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
John,

The idea has been booted around from time to time. We have sold molds... Holders, Hobie 33 in the past.

The reality is that it is much more than the fiberglass. The biggest stumbling points are the extrusions. We had to stop production on many models due to minimum run requirements of aluminum beams, masts, castings and stainless. This is a much bigger issue for someone to "start up" production than it is for us.
Author:  Banzilla [ Fri Mar 07, 2008 1:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ok, so the extrusions are a bit of an issue.

How about being able to make the hulls from the molds and than buying the used extrusions from boats that the hulls have been trashed?

just a thought, not much of one, but a thought non-the-less

Sam
Author:  mmiller [ Fri Mar 07, 2008 1:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
I think aluminum is commonly the issue with an old boat more than the glass work. It gets loose.

Anyway... the idea has been tried a number of times. Normally they discover the cost of actually doing this is prohibitive.
Author:  J_Eaton [ Fri Mar 07, 2008 2:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
mmiller wrote:
I think aluminum is commonly the issue with an old boat more than the glass work. It gets loose.

Anyway... the idea has been tried a number of times. Normally they discover the cost of actually doing this is prohibitive.


I understand loose aluminum only in the H16 corner casting. A beam bedded on fiberglass doesn't make sense to me.

Who are "they"??? The ones who have "run the numbers"?
Author:  BobMerrick [ Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Built in the USA...by???
J_Eaton wrote:
As not to hijack a similar thread

At what point in time (if ever) would it be reasonable to consider that Hobie would sell the moulds for the H17, H18 and M20 hulls to the HCANA (class association) so that we members aren't limited to primarily one fiberglass boat (H16) to race in the future?



I have thought about this and I don't see that the extrusions are a problem. The boat would need a re-design to take advantage of available stock extrusions but I don't think speed would be effected. There is more to it but it's all possible so long as you have one key ingredient, people who want to buy the boats. Then again if we had enough people willing to buy boats Hobie would be making them. That's the rub.

Bob
Author:  mmiller [ Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Who are "they"??? The ones who have "run the numbers"?


Honestly... I don't remember, but this is not the first time someone has suggested this about a discontinued model. It never pans out for whatever reason. Like Bob said... if there were people inetersted in buying, we would be selling. It just has to be at a volume that makes sense.
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