http://www.catsailingnews.com/2012/11/r ... etail.htmlINTERESTING READ.
some thoughts -
eurpoe is the leader in racing catamarans.
NACRA is the leader? has been for a while?
NACRA is todays version of Hobie Cat 1970's, 1980's.
Europe is focused on high performance catamarans and sailing fast.
good business model.
NACRAs marketing target is folks that want to sail fast and charge hard.
the guy said the magical word, "youth".
why the heck was a Hobie 16 up against this boat in the trials for the Olympic boat, and the Tiger(euro design)...where was the Wildcat(euro boat)? Hobie never stood a chance.
i hate to beat a dead horse, and im not Hobie bashing.
just making an observation again that the USA is getting crushed by europe and Hobie USA has acquired Hobie Europe, what is gonna happen?
i have supported Hobie for 36 yrs and I love the lifestyle and the Hobie brand but geez, for the first time in my life I think i will be buying a different catamaran the next time I buy one.
not entirely Hobies fault here, the USA is falling behind in general, not just sailing, it seems we are a country of lazy geeks and are falling behind in many aspects of life. where is the organization, the community, the spark, the enthusiasm, innovation, federations, funding? its not here. are we distracted by the NBA, NFL, MLB? is this why so many of the smaller sports are not important? why are sailing schools and youth programs and college sailing programs using lasers and shoe boats? why are these kids not on cats? are we all glued to our flatscreens and social networking and video games? Long gone are the days when i used to clown other catamarans and tell my friends Hobies are the best, no need to look elsewhere. Prindles and Sol Cats have turned into Nacras and A-cats and Cirrus cats. will the WildCat vanish as fast as the Fox?
its a bummer. very disappointing.
where are the leaders?
i apologize, bad night.
rant over