Matt,

Just out of interest does Hobie have any plans to build a boat that conforms to the F16 rules? With your large resources and R&D staff I'm sure it would be a winner.

You said:

>>Honestly, if things started getting rough, I would rather be on the Getaway than some lightly constructed glass cat that is optimized for nothing but speed. The Getaway is solid.

Don't make the mistake of assuming that lightweight = flimsy or weak. The Taipan is a lightweight boat but is very strong and very rigid. Much more rigid than say a Hobie 16. The cat rigged Taipan shown above weighs about 97kg (218lbs) and the Spinnaker version about 107 (240 lbs) or so. I'm guessing a Getaway weighs about 170kg (380lbs).

The light weight of these boats is an advantage not a liability. Trying to right a capsized light weight boat in rough weather is far easier than trying to right a heavy weight. The Taipan 4.9 for example is easily righted by one average sized man with no aids other than a righting rope - no need for shroud extenders, water bags, righting poles etc. Even when two of us are sailing and we capsize only one of us bothers to right the boat.

Don't get me wrong the Getaway looks like a great boat for what it's designed for. If I had a Getaway in the garage and an F16 and I wanted to go cruising in ten knots around the islands off my local beach with a few friends and an esky I'd grab the Getaway. If I wanted to go out flying a hull in 10 knots for a day of excitement I'd take the F16. Once it gets to 20-25 knots and rough give me the F16 - extreme fun!

I'm not trying to be confrontational just adding to the discussion. It's always good to hear your views.

Rob Wilson
Taipan 4.9 AUS175.