I don't get it America!

I am a naturalized American, harking from downunder - Australia. I love boats, love Hobies and love America, my home for 12 years with my family. What I don't get is why we are not totally spoiled for choice here when it comes to Hobies? By that I mean the fast versions of waves ( with power rigs) or why we are still not making the H14 where others are, why we cant seem to build the FX here. They even say ( on Wikipedia) that the French H16 is built to tighter tolerances...Sacrebleu!

So this is not intended in any way to be a dig at Hobie US, but what led to this do you think that we are NOT spoiled for choice? That not all of the models are still built here to exacting standards? Goodness, we have 300 million people, surely a small percentage should want for a Hobie sailing experience?

Why not build new H14 molds? Surely in this country there would be enough of a market? Why not design new models and deliver to the hungry boat-buying public? Are we not out there, demanding ( and paying) for faster, lighter boats? More model choice? I need a boat a little faster than the wave, same or lighter in weight and as close to the robustness of the wave. I will buy it new if it's available. Again, repetition here, but surely there are many others who are in my position?

Perhaps sailing is just not as universally loves as in other countries. Well then, I challenge you all here on these forums to grab a noob and take them out, teach them to sail and make a new convert. I am doing just that to a young fella down the street, who is coming along well now ( next week - Jibes!) and hopefully he will get a boat soon and do the same for others.

I would love to see a greater presence from the dealers online ( that's where the new young sailors will be). Sunjammers seems to do a great deal of online work with participation in these forums, publishing educational videos on Youtube and such. This should be emulated by others. More videos, more walk-arounds on the new boats.

Sailing is green, great exercise - good for the brain and learning and awesome fun. We all know that. I think with a little more effort on evangelism, we just may able to create a little more business for Hobie. And I can then buy a brand new H14 in this country...

Have a great 4th everybody, I will be on the lake sailing and loving life.

Cheers

_________________
2001 Wave
2006 Laser
1988 Windrush (AUS)
1983 Laser
1980 Swinger (AUS)
1974 Manly Junior (AUS)

Hey Mark,

For whatever it's worth, my experience has been that most [American] people have the impression that sailing is difficult and technical.

I am not sure how to fix that.

It doesn't have to be as I taught my son to sail a sunfish in about 10 minutes, and off he went. Plus, he loves my Wave.

The other issue is access to sailable water (or lack thereof) for a majority of the population.

_________________

"HOBIE....
Say it LOUD and there's music playing...
Say it SOFT and it's almost like praying.....
I just sailed my WAVE out the Marina !"
West Coast Story

I know how to fix it: Just show a picture of a simpleton (such as myself) sailing. That ought to fix to the problem. They (the world) will see that if I can do it, anyone can.

Good points, but if you look at the population of Aus and NZ and indeed France, they are nothing compared to the US population that is near sailable water I am sure. I agree with the ease of teaching, it would be great for more schools to adopt a program.

_________________
2001 Wave
2006 Laser
1988 Windrush (AUS)
1983 Laser
1980 Swinger (AUS)
1974 Manly Junior (AUS)

Hey Mark. Stop over at Sail Sand Point, north shore of Magnuson Park in Seattle to check out the local sailing activity. See http://www.sailsandpoint.org Classes are in full swing for the summer, lots of kids and adults on the water.

Happy Fourth of July.

Caleb Tarleton

Will do! I hear you guys do great work there. Any thoughts on establishing a smaller east side satellite office? One where eastsiders could get to easily (after work say) and perhaps sail in the middle and meet up?

_________________
2001 Wave
2006 Laser
1988 Windrush (AUS)
1983 Laser
1980 Swinger (AUS)
1974 Manly Junior (AUS)

Sail Sand Point offers two programs on the East side. The program at Mercer Island, Luther Burbank Park is sold out for the year. The Classes at Houghton Beach, south of downtown Kirkland still has openings. See http://www.sailsandpoint.org. As far as having boat storage and other services on the East side, that could be a long term goal in the future.

Caleb Tarleton

Got my h16 out on Friday... my lobster red back proves it!

_________________
1982 H16 (C:\Worthy)
Yellow/White Prism type sails

Apparently not. Let's not blame the manufacturer for failing to deliver a boat we want, but rather blame the buying public for not demanding a boat you want. Matt Miller has defended Hobie many times on this forum with the (paraphrased) response, 'If you buy it we'll build it.' In the past five years Hobie ended production of the 17, 18, and 20 because sales didn't justify production, and eliciting a collective groan from the members of this forum.

If you're looking for someone to blame then blame me for chasing off all but one newbie through unplanned pitchpoles, abandoning ship as a newbie skipper was about to capsize, hair raising reaches, and general over-exuberance. I'll enjoy the boats as long as either of us last.

In another thread like this I even said that I'd swim a certain Hobie Europe model across the Atlantic if I could get an order of 5. Still waiting.

J

In my area (Louisiana), its all about bass boats and jet skis - thats all anyone cares about. The general consensus here is that sailboats are inferior to motorboats and are dangerous. Each time I go sailing, someone says "isnt that dangerous?". One time I invited a teenager sailing and he replied "I would look like a dork on that thing".

Also I will add that I live in redneck central where people have narrow viewpoints and only do things that are acceptable to uncle Bubba and cousin leroy.

Even though fishing is huge here (we just hosted Bassmaster Classic), people wont even embrace fishing kayaks. I see folks with 250hp outboards cussing up a storm while filling their gastanks, but they roll their eyes when I suggest a sail or paddle.

Maybe thats why I sail - its really a neat feeling when you make jaws drop from flying a hull or when you hear little kids say "WOW, a SAILboat!"

Nothing wrong with having a motorboat, but when the wind is blowing why not use some of that free gasoline.

Because fishing from a small sailboat is a pain in the rear.
Tubing, wakeboarding, skiing behind a sailboat isn't that exciting.


Pay to play I guess, my buddy spent $60k on a wakeboarding boat. I don't get it, but I don't mind being towed by it either.

In america.. people who dont sail look at sailors as rich, arrogent, little prissies. Most people are landlocked and dont live near a lake or the ocean.

_________________
1971 H16 (sail #1768)

To all of you on the Hobie Forum... I love you guys!!!
thanks for all the help!

I call manure on this. There are lakes EVERYWHERE! Also, 3/4 of the world's population live within a few miles of salt water (not sure how this pans out in the US, but I am guessing its close to that). Your argument would have the outcome of few people owning ANY kind of boat - this simply isnt the case. A large percent of US citizens own some kind of boat - its just that few of those boats are sailboats. Americans just want to push a button and go.

True - but think about how many are SAILABLE lakes. I live in cedar falls, iowa, and there are 5 lakes within seven minutes travel from me. A lot of "lakes" are maybe 50-150 acres. Yeah, you can put a hobie on one, but how fun is it when you have to tack or gybe every 45 seconds because you run out of water.

The nearest lake I would even consider putting my 16 on is 40 minutes away.

I think a lot of it is, like us, people want to go fast. They want speed. But they see a sailboat out and compare it to a 200hp powerboat, and yeah. There is no comparison. I think a lot of people don't see the social aspect of sailing or racing cats, and then there is the laziness and/or intimidation factor. People see a cat and see all these wires going up the mast and lines and they would have to learn and they think it looks complicated. Then there is the powerboat which is turn key, throttle forward.

Just my cent and a half.

_________________
Ben Wells - Hobie 16