You make a valid point about internet sales. Also, I certainly realize that sailing generally has become less popular- used to be a lot more cats around here than there are now. Guess sailing is a little more difficult than video games!
. I can certainly understand HC's not wanting to be a fullfillment hub for their dealers! I think, as far as dealers stocking parts versus losing sales to the internet, it's kind of a circular thing- if my dealer doesn't stock the parts, why would I pay shipping AND sales tax to order through them, when I can order from a dealer who stocks the parts, pay only shipping AND have the parts more quickly. While I can see the reasoning behind not carrying a large slow-moving inventory, it seems to me that they shoot themselves in the foot and drive internet sales by not wholeheartedly supporting the products they sell! Just my two cents.
All that said, I'm a Hobie sailor to the core, and so long as I can keep my boats going, I'll probably be sailing them till I croak! Glad I chose Hobie so many years ago- they're great, well- built boats. I'm still sailing my '83 16, which I bought new and was my second Hobie!
Thanks, Dave