Since there is a discussion of misunderstood class rules, I would like to point one out
ARTICLE IV. -MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Qualifications: Membership shall be open to all persons interested in the sport of Hobie Cat sailing. No person shall be denied the right to membership or participation in any event within the jurisdiction of the HCA or to manage or otherwise be involved in the participation of such event, or having so participated shall suffer any penalty for having participated, on the grounds of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual preference or national origin. This section shall not prevent the conduct of separate events for men and women and special populations.
As you can see, you don't have to own or race a hobie or any kind of catamaran or sailboat in order to be a member of hca.
Owning another brand of catamaran or hobie or even a jetski does not exclude you from membership in hca.
You only have to pay your membership fee to be "a member in good standing".
Section 3. Privileges of Membership
a. Members in good standing status are also such members of the International Hobie Class Association.
b. A member in good standing status is entitled to one vote within the general membership-voting format.
c. Only members in good standing status are entitled to participate in any sailing events sanctioned by the HCA and/or the IHCA as well as skipper their boat in such events.
d. Only members in good standing status are entitled to earn qualifying points toward participation in North American and World Championship events.
e. Only members in good standing status are eligible to introduce motions, serve on HCA committees, be a member of the Board of Directors or to serve as an Association, Fleet or Division officer.
Members in good standing (PAID UP) are allowed to vote, race in hca events, serve on hcs committees, be a member of the Board of Directors
So basically, anybody with the money can join hca and run for office.
Can anybody explain how someone who doesn't race a hobie or at least own one can possibly represent hobie racers?
About Division 9.
Officially, there are twelve Fleets.
Hobie Fleets 97, 170, and 191 are inactive.
Fleets 12, 53, 92, and 174 have one "member".
The members of Division 9 NEVER succumbed to the new participation rules.
http://www.hobiediv9.org/schedule.htm
Now we have the Eastern Multihull Sailing Association.
http://www.emsa-sailing.org./
The same people who ran Division 9 are running the regattas for EMSA.