new Hobie tatoo

Looks like Hobie Europe has launched a new boat - the "Tatoo" - What will this mean for the H-16? Any plans for a NA version?

http://www.hobie-cat.net/download/catalogue/gb/hi_res/16tatoo.pdf

It looks to be rotomolded, so it's a completely different beast than the 16. Not much will affect the Hobie 16 class here in the US.

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Once again Hobie Europe Rules, while we in the US drool. I still can not believe we are not importing some more of their models. When was the last time you saw a Hobie TV ad - oh ja - NEVER.

Heres some more info on it, from a couple of months back, before they named it: Tatoo. http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=32511


Edit: sorry forgot to add the link

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1992 Hobie Cat 18 #16943
Hobie Fleet 198, Rapid City, SD

I think we could likely sell a sleeker 16'ish rotomolded cat, but we would do our own... not import. Note they import our Wave and Getaway over there and also use our EZ Loc rudder system on this one. We've been a bit successful in picking and choosing marketable product over here.

As far as TV goes... that won't pay for itself nationally and not likely locally anywhere. No way. You have to have a big market base for a product, sold in some volume, for that. What we do get is hundreds (thousands) of impressions on movies, TV and print as it is because people love to use Hobie in their stuff.

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

Why the holes in the bows I wonder?

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UK Wildcats have 8 now!

1976 H16 27640
1985 H16 89112

Ah, the grass is always greener on the other side?

Handles for moving it around.

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Jeremy is just screwing with you, the holes in the bow are to seperate flow and prevent pitchpoling. Also note, that on a broad reach, you can drive these "ventalators" and gain two knots on those not driving the bow down. Kind of like the dimples on a golf ball.

He (Jeremy) was part of the testing and has been sworn to secrecy. Hobie plans to launch a new F-18 with this inovation early next year. It's the first serious upgrade to the Wildcat.

I wonder if the tatoo 16 would be faster than the getaway?

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.

<<Once again Hobie Europe Rules, while we in the US drool.>>

I disagree.

Over the past 35 years I think Hobie US (depending on who was the current owner) has done a relatively decent job balancing; flooding the market with new designs to make a profit, versus protecting/promoting the Hobie One Design Classes that are the foundation of the Hobie Way of Life and the KISS principles of designer Hobie Sr.

Happy New Year!!!
Mimi Appel
Fleet 204 204 204
Syracuse, NY

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