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 Post subject: New hope for the 14?
PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 9:48 pm 
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Joined: Wed Apr 27, 2011 11:12 am
Posts: 48
With the annoucement that Hobie Company has aquired Hobie Europe, is there new hope for the 14 in the US?

http://www.hobie.com/post/81/-Hobie-Cat-Company-Announces-Acquisition-of-Hobie-Cat-Europe.aspx


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 Post subject: Re: New hope for the 14?
PostPosted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 6:24 am 
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Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:18 am
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Location: Virginia Beach VA
Seems a little unlikely that Hobie would resurrect a forty year old design here in the US. The 14 had its day in the sun.


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 Post subject: Re: New hope for the 14?
PostPosted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 12:21 pm 
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Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:58 am
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Location: Knoxville, TN
Keep in mind that although the H14 is a 44-year old design, it is still produced by Hobie Europe. Bringing a boat over here that's already in production isn't that much of a stretch. I think there are enough of us die-hards here that Hobie could sell a few. Some of us would buy them for our kids. I still like it better than roto-mold boats. Another possibility would be for Hobie to at least sell some replacement hulls to H14 owners as they did to H18 owners a couple of years ago.

Changing the topic slightly, on Labor Day weekend, five Hobie 14's, including mine, showed up at Mid-Americas in Dallas. It was the first time in a while that they had a 14 Fleet. We had a ball. Just shows what you can accomplish with a little coordination.

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Mark Van Doren
H16 Seabreeze #112205 (Richard Petty Signature Edition)
H14T Fantasia #47787
San Juan 28


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 Post subject: Re: New hope for the 14?
PostPosted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 2:29 pm 
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Last weekend, there were 3 14's on the sand at Santa Clara Pt. in Mission Bay. And I saw another one sailing near Fiesta Island.

My thoughts were the same, ship some over to the dealers and see what happens. I would also be interested in buying new hulls.


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 Post subject: Re: New hope for the 14?
PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 5:54 am 
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Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:18 am
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Location: Virginia Beach VA
Still...add shipping charges from France (or wherever) and I don't think it would be a big seller. Hobie US killed it off 20 years ago for a reason. Probably poor sales.


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 Post subject: Re: New hope for the 14?
PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 6:59 am 
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Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:58 am
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Location: Knoxville, TN
I don't think it would be a big seller either, but it would be nice if it were available to those willing to pay for one. Maybe the replacement hulls idea, if nothing else, will get some traction.

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Mark Van Doren
H16 Seabreeze #112205 (Richard Petty Signature Edition)
H14T Fantasia #47787
San Juan 28


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 Post subject: Re: New hope for the 14?
PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 7:10 pm 
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Joined: Sat Dec 08, 2007 1:02 pm
Posts: 186
Location: Lake of the Ozarks
6,980 Euro's or 9,100 USD list for a complete 14 classic

they also need to send over some rear cross bars w/integrated track :)

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1984 H16 "Mister Rogers"
1984 H14 "Sundays"
2000 H20 "Jet"
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 Post subject: Re: New hope for the 14?
PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 9:13 pm 
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Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:58 am
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Location: Knoxville, TN
Our weak currency is a problem. :x

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Mark Van Doren
H16 Seabreeze #112205 (Richard Petty Signature Edition)
H14T Fantasia #47787
San Juan 28


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