I agree ... a Hobie 16 with 4 people on it is a pain! It is not only a weight issue, but you just do not know where to keep all those useless people. Seriously they will be in your way.
The Getaway... "I have read about the getaway and kind of taking a liking to it, It can seat four adults comfortably, ..." Not really, non of the beach cats has much to offer when it comes to comfort. Again the Getaway is designed to be sailed by two people - In wind (>15 m) two extra people are just hindering. If it is comfort your are looking for, look for a mono hull >25 feet.

Hobie 18 and Getaway have a reduced pitch pole tendency compared to a Hobie 16. This is mostely due to the hull volume vs. sail area ratio. The 16 carries a lot of sail on skinny hulls.

You might also want to have a look at Prindel 18 (2) and some of the Nacra's - they might do better in the pitch pole categorie - but again more performance - less comfort.

Patrick