Well Bill ....since I am a commoner and one of the many I made my choice. I started 4 years ago with a 1970's era H14T that I put together and learned to rig, sail and repair. There were second hand parts a plenty out there on the web and in a pinch most H16 parts worked on it as well. Thank you Commodore (aka Havliii)What is your choice Grog Man?
As my skills in sailing grew I stumbled across this rare derelict along side the road.
After a season more of growing and learning I stepped it up to its bigger brother.
All together 3 boats and trailers for less than $10K a third of what you are saying for just one boat. The time spent and experiences priceless. These are the boats the masses have to choose from as the prices are that of a common grog drinker. Main line commoners have to buy our grog and do not need carbon fiber ever where. Just a fast pair of fiber glass hulls, seaway hardware, good clothe and some recycled cans of grog that we have enjoyed at some time after a sailing.
Main line masses drive Ford, Chevy, Toyota and Honda for a reason. Not BMW, Mercedes, Porches. Not even close to Ferrari, Aston Martin and Lamborghini. The way to make this sport more main line is to appeal to those driving the Fords at prices they can afford out of there wallet. Hobie seems to have seen this and still makes the same H16 (fiber glass) with improved fiber glass materials along side a F-18 class boat as well with hulls made of fiber glass. Eleven other boat builder were in the class in 2012 as well. Not sure ARC was one or in the F-16 class either. When you have to limit races to 150 boats due to the fact there are that many competing that says a lot.
All your numbers and formulas can not explain why there are so many of the others boats and so few of the SC's, RC's and ARC's out there. The ones that make any sport that of the many want a good blend of materials and cost savings. I don't care how the builder might justify a higher cost for the same product that gets me from A-B safe and with a bit of fun in between. Simple math I see bottom line price is what the common grog drinker like myself will always look at first and foremost. If we can upgrade later and we are still in the game then maybe. But you got to get us in the game first with out breaking the bank or grog budget.