what's a nacra 520?
you must mean the 570

http://nacra.us/570/57index.html

This choice makes enough sense.
Just remember as you set it up and drag its heavy a**e around that the other boat will be lighter and easier to deal with. So, if you have enough fun on the Getaway you will be smiling bigger on the 500

Jeff,
I agree with everything Wouter said about the Getaway. And as you said, this is a family experiment for you, so I still recommend the Wave. Find a used one. And they have very good resale value when and if you are ready to move up to a bigger boat. I don't know why you would be concerned about the seating area for the three of you on a Hobie Wave. As I said before, it has more seating area than a Hobie 18. I know, because I measured both. I have had two adults and four grandchildren out on my Wave, and nobody was sitting on top of anybody. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Also, it would be a good boat for teaching your wife and son how to sail, because you can let them take turns on the helm, as long as you have the mainsheet.

Dude, You just contradicted yourself. How can you describe a boat using these three phrases in one sentence: beer coolers, abuse resistant, and inferior.
You can't. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Have you ever sailed a Getaway with a bunch of ecstatic kids on board? I've had myself and 6 kids on board. Have you ever sailed one at all?

I'll go on the record and say the Getaway is a great family boat. Ive had one for almost 6 years and have a great time on it. I've had that boat out in Santa Cruz in almost every swell condition and up to 30 kts, it's a great beginning boat. You won't easily get overpowered and maintenance is virtually non existent. Let the kids drive and ram the dock, no problem.

The Getaway rides much higher in the water than the Wave. With me and 2 passengers onboard the wave crossbars will hit if there is any significant chop. The main difference is carrying capacity, and conditions you'll be sailing in. The Wave doesn't do very well here in Santa Cruz, because we have pretty big water.

But, Jeremy, you are an expert sailor, and he is a newbie.

I thought I should include this photo of an old boat of mine.
I ran into this guy in summer out at the islands.
It was a self designed and built boat by a German fellow.
16 foot long, lightly built, easy to deal with and a father and son having a great day out.

You're right Mary, just had to take on Wouter. Either boat will be cool really. Just get on the water safely with your kids. That's the bottom line. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Jeff2, maybe I missed it somewhere, but when you live in Brooklyn, NY, what body of water will you be sailing on? I agree with Jeremy about sailing in big chop.

Warbird,
You should post that photo also in the thread about using an outboard motor on cats.

I've had my kids on my old P19 since they were 3. My son fell asleep the first few times. You have to pick the right conditions.

Great minds Mary.

My 12 yr old niece pointed out to some H16 sailors who could not understand why she is bored on a H16 ... " I started racing at 9yrs old on a P19MX but my Uncle thought it was best that we race his TheMightyHobie18 when trapped out, I turned into a human ping-pong ball bouncing of the mast ... the forstay ... the jib and front crossbar ...

My heart just stopped when I heard that "BONGGgggg" of the diamond wires ... how we saved the boat from flipping I still do not know. The crazy thing is that Megan has been politicing to race the P19mx this season along w/ the TheMightyHobie18. Kids are tough and want to be challenged ...but

I'll give you the biggest lessons I learned that day: 1) Know when to Quit, set limits and stick to them (the wind had picked up to 5 knots above our agreed/set limit) 2) Do not second quess your decisions about safety as there is always tomorrow.

Safety First
Sail Flat, Sail Fast
HarryMurphey
H18mag/#9458, Fleet 54/Div11
P19mx w/spin /#86, CRAC

When did Jeremy become a "Expert" sailor? Just because you sell the boats doesn't mean you know how to sail them. Hopefullt he doesn't read this before im at his shop tomorrow.
Either boat is a good starter. The best lesson is to have someone with experionce help you the first few times out. Hope you have fun on the water.

It's a good point R, I may not be the fastest on the water, but I seem to remember about 15 or so miles at the Moss Landing Challenge last year where...Why don't you finish the story <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Oh boy more Wouter comments. It’s obvious you do not know anything about the Getaway and have never sailed one, plus of course we all know how much you love Hobie. First the benefits of the Wave do extend to the Getaway on many levels. I have sailed Getaways many times, there has never been an issue with pitch poling due to your points. The sail area is great and gives it plenty of power. I have never had any issue with the front cross bar causing a pitch pole in any condition. The mast weight in no way makes it difficult to right the boat; again I am 150 lbs. wet.

Comparing the Getaway to the TheMightyHobie18 in righting was only a point of reference for some.

Actually its advantage is it’s a “16 foot beach cat with beer coolers and roto-molded hulls that are abuse resistant,” which I might add the Getaway has enough recreational performance for most of us, and is a breeze to rig. And when one puts the Getaway next to a Nacra 500 the Getaway pretty much wins on several levels, but the 500 also has advantages as well, both are great boats.

Oh I might add those at Sailing World Mag. liked the Getaway so much that they award it as the 2002 Recreational Racer of the year. Their report was very positive. Funny the Bravo, Wave, & Getaway (their roto-molded line of boats) seems to get many negative comments from people like you yet they sell like hot cakes, those that own them for the most part love them, and on and on. Heck look at the H16 also not loved by you yet this year in particular they are having a difficult time keeping up with demand.

Fair winds,

Whats a nacra 520 ?

I don't see it on any official nacra site and I have never heard of it.

I do know about the nacra 5.2 but that model was discontinued, what, 15+ years ago ?

Wouter

I have worked several years as a catsailing instructor and we did many batchlor parties and company outings. I have often sailed Nacras, Prindles and Hobie with several adults and also kids on board. Did you ?

Each year when do a promo day at our sailing club for the local high school pupils, last year I took several people along on my F16 (a pure race boat as you know). Loaded her up to over 200 kg in crew weight and these 16-17 year olds are still trim. I sail in the North sea which is a shallow seas with often high winds lead to short steep waves.

Basically, it is my experience that nearly every beach cat design will take several adults and still be sailing about. You don't need some special design like a Getaway for that. It is also my experience that people tire of taken catamaran rides relatively quickly. Ohh, they love it the first time around and want to go for hours, but with each return visit they get less inpired and quickly other parts of life take precedence. After a few weeks or some 95% of the cat sailors will be singlehanding or doublehanding with maybe ones or twice a year (on a perfect summer day) taking a 3rd person along. Often the wives are the first to say "no, thank you". Any father is lucky when 1 of his kids takes to it at all.

For such a rare occurance of having 3+ people on board it makes no sense to by a special boat especially when the common beach cats will all handle 3 adults on the boat pretty well. 3 Adults = 2 adults + 2 kids ?

Since the future for this guy is most likely to be regulary singlehanding or sailing with a friend or 1 of his kid I really do think the Getaway is not his best option even by a long shot. What does he do on it ? Pass the beer can to his 10 year old and get drunk together ? Or play the game of who can bury the bows of the getaway the deepest into the dock ?

When I was still a cat sailing instructor, ramming the peer, the dock or other boats was not part of the curriculum. We never broke a glass boat that way and we sure had some dummies coming through the course.

Wouter

Jeremy,

Ya gotta understand, "He's" done it all, seen it all, and knows it all.

Not only that, "He's" done it, seen it, and knows it, better than any human on the face of the planet.

If you don't believe it, "He'll" be glad to tell you, me, and anyone else that will listen.

"His" boat is golden, and every other design on the water since the beginning of time, today, and as far as "He" can see into the future, is a sad attempt to reach the level of excellence that the design of "His" boat has already achieved.

Once you understand all of that .... it makes reading "His" posts a little less stressful.

Stephen

????

Actually...yes I have. But back to my question phrased a bit more simply. Have you ever sailed a Getaway? One word would would be a fine answer.

I like you Wouter, you're fun.

Now, just for reference. Here is a pic of myself and 5 friends going for a leisurely sail. If you look on the outside the wind is in the upper teens and you can tell that the girls are all soaking as we were sailing at a pretty good clip. At no point did I feel in danger or overpowered on the Getaway. The boat is under control, sails well and is very forgiving perfect for noobs. The wings add a bit of safety, as they act as a sort of lifeline. This is where the Getaway is such a great boat in big water with a bunch of passengers. There's a lot of real estate. As Mary has said the Wave is simpler and easy to rig. Either way, you'll love getting your kids on the water.





And to anyone that thinks that the Getaway doesn't have a place. I'll say that I've probably sold more of them than any other model in the 10 years I've been doing this. They definitely fill a niche.