Tony:
The answer is very simple and very understandable, and in my opinion very well thought out by the manufacturer (Hobie ... liability wise), and threads thru and around all the international rules and regulations very wisely (legality wise).
The examples I gave ( Windrider 17, WETA, Trimaran, and Laser Performance boats) are all sold in their minimum configuration, and cannot be used in any other way, basically you cannot take the AMA's off a Windrider or Weta and use it for anything else besides a bathtub (or bouy). Since the safety and conformance labels (both US and EC) must be clearly placed on the main hull of a craft and applies to the main hull (where occupants sit). Since the TI can be used as a kayak without any sails, AMA's, tramps, etc the plaques and ratings apply only to the kayak alone ( ie... 2 occupants, 600 lbs weight capacity) because that is the weight capacity of the hull itself (minimum configuration that the boat is considered a complete craft.
This is despite the fact that you cannot purchase a TI without the sail/AMA kit, Hobie has no control on how you use it after purchase.
So the CE 'D' classification is completely legitimate for the Tandem Island kayak (no sails or AMA's, or tramps), which would be considered add on options to the minimum configuration. Legally Hobie can only plaque the boat for it's minimum human carrying capacity because they have no control over when or how people put the optional equipment onto their boats or how the boats are used once they leave the factory. As an example if some moron looked a the "C" rating on the hull then took his Hobie kayak (kayak mode only with no AMA's or sails) 10 miles out to sea in high winds and heavy seas and floundered everyone would feel bad.
Also clearly stated on the TI hull is the weight capacity of 2 occupants and 600 lbs max weight bearing capacity (passengers and gear), this is the weight capacity of the kayak. Hobie has no control over if someone adds the optional tramps to their kayak, I know personally we have many times been out with 4 or more people on board with one in each seat, and 1 of more on each tramp, with no problems, as I'm pretty sure almost everyone with a TI has done, actually if you look at Hobies advertising photos and videos you can see 3-4 people (or more with kids) on board TI's.
I can give a perfect example of circumstances, last summer we went out scuba diving off key west during mini lobster season, there we 6 of us (all adults most over 200 lbs). We each had full dive gear with two tanks each, along with BC's, weight belts, coolers for the lobster, dive flags, and food and beverage coolers, plus a couple hundred miles worth of fuel (2.3 gallons), etc. I had 4 adults on the TI along with some gear, we were pulling two kayaks (with 1 person on each), and also an inflatable 4 person boat with 650 lbs capacity (what we call our lifeboat). Most of the tanks and gear were in the lifeboat. I always carry 6 lifejackets on board my TI plus each kayak had 1 PFD. My TI has 260 sq ft of sail in total, and with the motor, we are able to make pretty good headway even with a large load (which doesn't seem to slow the boat down a whole lot). Obviously my TI is modified and re-enforced for open water, and I have all the required safety gear for offshore use, and most importantly I'm sailing in my home waters that I know very well, plus I follow the weather forecasts very closely and only go out in conditions that I know the boat can easily handle (basically winds under 15 mph and seas below 3 ft), We had a coast guard skiff pull along side and they talked to us, they were familiar with the TI and were admiring ours and actually suggested a couple places we might try diving for lobster. These guys are safety minded and I'm sure if they had any questions about our safety they would have made us go ashore. If the boat had appeared overloaded and about to sink or flounder, or we didn't have enough life jackets on board the CG would have surely taken control.
As a side note on towing, we often tow other TI's and kayaks and inflatable boats with our TI, when towing the dingy we find it best to tie to the center rear of our TI with a 20-30 ft rope tied to the bow of the inflatable, it actually tracks really well, and doesn't effect my steering, when we have additional kayaks as well I have them hang onto the sides of the inflatable, we literally only lose about 1-2 mph to our speed. When towing another TI, I use the same rope but tie it to my rear AKA bar (with a slip knot), then instruct the other TI to tie to their front AKA bar, I then have them sail behind and to the right of me at around 45 degrees to my rear (about 20-25 ft away from me), this way I don't spoil their wind, we can both steer, and their sails add to the total propulsion, we can easily together do 6-7 mph in 6-8 mph winds as long as they keep their sail trimmed properly, of course every mirage drive available has to be pedaling to maintain those speeds. When there is no or really light wind I prefer to tow only Hobie kayaks with the mirage drives (no more than 4), this way they are pulling their own weight, and as a group we actually get somewhere (we call it the party barge). PS you can't haul gear only in a kayak, it has to be people, otherwise they tip over.
This was our catch for the day, we had a blast, and didn't really care how many lobsters we caught, it was so much fun just going out.
Just my 2 cents on the subject, I'm fine with the classifications as posted on the boats, as I assume legally you cannot have 2 different plaques on the same boat, the plaque should be stated (as it is) in the minimum transportation configuration. Besides as Tony points out, these classifications are only for new manufactured boats sold in the US or Europe and required to be posted on the boat by the manufacturer. What you do with your boat and how you outfit it they have no way of knowing how you will use it after you bought it.
Bob
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