A Class boat in Hobie future?

OK, again, shame on me as an owner of five Hobies over the years why do I read any other forums?

I have repeatedly heard the rumor of Hobie and Nacra building an A cat in the near future. I know the boat has a great following in EU and AU and some Euro boats over here, but it doesn't make sense for Hobie (US anyway) to buy in. Not with the H17 and FX-1 one-up's already in production. But I'm not sure how much of a success the FX-1 is or Nacra's IF17 for that matter.

Is this just wishful thinking on someone's part, or does this rumor have some consideration?

It seems to me to make more sense (if only in my own mind) for Hobie Cat NA to introduce another Formula-esque boat (16 )

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hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297

John,

Hobie NA does not make the Tiger it is shipped over from France. The only boats Hobie NA make are the Bravo, Wave, Getaway, 16. I think the others 14, 17, 18, 20 have been discontinued.

If Hobie was to make an F16 that would be great but I don't think Hobie NA has the tooling to make a boat that light. I have been on an A2 and it was awsome. The boat is so light (hulls 25lbs each)you could feel everything.

The 17 and 20 are still in production. The 14 is still being built in Europe and (I believe) Brazil.

Hobie USA has always built durable and mostly recreational boats. A Cats are incredibly fragile and expensive. Would they survive 21 races in 5 straight days of racing in winds up to 30 (measured) like we had at the H-17 North Americans this year? I don't think so.

If Hobie was to build an A Cat, it probably wouldn't be in the USA. Maybe Australia. But it's all speculation on our part.

They should bring back the 14, for one boat only, and sell it to me for $50

Hobie Cat France had announced plans last year to build an A Class boat, but have removed the information from their website.

An A Class would conflict heavily with the HCA one design idea (even more than the Tiger does now) and, in my opinion, be a poor choice of boats for us to pursue as a production boat. This is an open design and seems to be constantly changing.

Certainly Hobie Cat can build this and any other hi tech type of construction. We choose not to for many reasons.

Hobie Cat USA currently offers fiberglass boats 16, 17, 17 FX One, 18 Tiger, 20.

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

Matt,

So Hobie Cat USA makes the FX1, Tiger, Fox. I thouht all those were made overseas and shipped here. When I bougth my Tiger I had to give my credit card number to Hobie Cat France to get the mast.

I'm reading "offer" not necessarily build/make in the US.

and...20, as in Miracle 20, not the FOX.

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hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297

Correct John.

Hobie USA builds the 16, 17 and Miracle 20 in Oceanside.

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