All three ARE RIGHTABLE under the right conditions. At 215 the 4.5 will be the only one of the three you could right in all conditions without the use of a bag.

The 450 is also bullet proof and most of the parts are ronstan (readily available and cheaper then Hobie) and it’s simple to repair fiberglass. The 450 like the 5.0 both have very good handling characteristics.

The Gateway is the slowest of the three and made from plastic similar to the wave so it’s also the heaviest of the three as well. Advantage of plastic being impact resistance and not weight and speed.

The H17 is the fastest and most powerful of the three and uses center boards so will tack/ turn easier but you’ll need to bring along a righting bag as it’s heavier with a longer mast then the 4.5 (the N5.0 is actually lighter then the H17).

Buoyancy wise the 450 was approved in AUS for up to four persons. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />




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I have had a hobie wave several years and would like to move up a step in performance. I am in my early 50's, weigh about 215 lbs, usually sail solo on an inland lake, and do not race--just like to tool around. The Hobie Getaway and 17 seem a little big for a single person to right. On paper, the Nacra 450 looks about the right size. Nearest Nacra dealer is 10 hrs away, so I'm concerned about getting repairs. (Hobie dealer is 3 hrs away.) Anybody have any feedback on Nacras regarding reliability? Anybody with a 450 have any comments on performance and stability? Any other suggestions? Thanks

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