newbie question

Hi,

First, thanks for the advice last week on which boats would be good/bad for me. I'm trying to find a used boat for my wife and son. Based on partly on this forum's feedback, and what's available used, I'm considering a Hobie 20.

But I'm concerned about getting it in and out of the water. I'll probably keep it at a marina on a trailer so I can leave the mast set up. I've trailered 18 foot skiffs (about 2500 pounds with outbound motor). My uninformed guess is that launching and pulling up a 20 foot hobie (about 400 pounds) would be pretty easy, particularly if it was only going 100 feet in a parking lot. After the first 3 times(learning period), how long does it take to launch and pull a 20 foot cat?

Thanks for the continued help,

Jeff

It all depends on experience. Allow an hour in the beginning. You can probably get it down to twenty minutes over time.

How much sailing have you done? Manuvering a sailboat in close quarters can be difficult even for experienced sailors.

What do you mean? It is for your wife and son to sail? Or that you want a boat for yourself that you can take your wife and son out on? And how old is your son?

Mary,

Sorry for the confusion. I posted last week explaining my situation and didn't want to repeat. I'm an experienced sailor of bigger boats, but I'm looking for a day sailing cat that I can take my wife and five year old son on for fun. I asked advice last week on which cats would be best.

I got great advice from this forum. I found a 20 foot Hobie for sale, but I'm concerned about getting it in and out of the water.

I have now read the other post, and I think you should take the advice given there: Get a smaller boat. You need one that you can right by yourself if it capsizes. Even if you have both your wife and son on the boat, your wife will be in the water helping the child, and will not be assisting you in righting the boat.

While your children are young and until your wife is experienced as crew, I would recommend the Hobie Wave. It is very stable, the least likely to capsize, and the easiest to right. It can handle a lot of weight. It has more seating area than either the Hobie 16 or Hobie 18. It cannot "turtle," because of the masthead float. (This is VERY important when you have small children on the boat.)

You can get the jib option for it and also the single-trapeze option -- that way there is something for everyone to do; your wife can handle the jib, and your son can have fun on the trapeze. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> They have a small spinnaker option for the Wave, too.

I forgot to mention that it only takes a few minutes to put up the mast and the sail and be ready to put it in the water. And if you have beach wheels, it is very easy to launch and take out of the water (especially if you have the bow spreader bar, which I highly recommend, and you can get that separately or it comes automatically, I think, if you get either the jib or spinnaker option.)

Hi Jeff,

Not to rain on your parade, but I'm concerned about you as a newbie (your word, not mine) on a 20' with a 5 yr old. Beach cats are so light that they power up quickly in a breeze, and a Hobie 20 will have serious acceleration and speed. If you go back and read your previous post, you'll note that everyone recommended a smaller boat. That advice is born out of experience; the bigger the sail, the wilder things can get. I know you have a lot of experience sailing a larger boat, but beach cats are a whole different ballgame, especially when the wind picks up.

Hey, I'm not trying to be contrary. Perhaps you feel well equipped for the challenge, or even insulted that anyone would recommend caution. And maybe you'll be the guy who catches on right away and never makes a mistake. My concern, though, is that you'll be like most of us--forgetting to uncleat that line or finding ourselves in the wrong place when the wind shifts, etc. Things happen so quickly on these cats, and we've all had close calls (funny afterwards!) when we lose concentration. 20' is a lot of boat to start with, especially with young crew.

OK, I've said my piece. I had already done so in response to your previous post, but when I saw what you're leaning towards, I felt I ought to speak up again. I understand we all get to make our choices, but I'll finish with a bit of "Popeye wisdom" that I've often quoted to my teenagers: "We makes our choices, and we lives with our consequences." I just don't want you to endure any consequences that you'll later regret.

I really do hope it works out well for you, whatever you choose. Happy sailing, and might you have much fun and stay safe on the water.

Kevin

Jeff, if you are serious about buying this Hobie 20, be sure you get the owner to come out and sail with you at least once or twice before you try to go it alone. Everyone here has a horror story to tell about some newbie who showed up with a new (to him) cat when it was blowing 20, with the wife and kid, and shortly after was never seen sailing again...

When these things flip, (and as a newbie, you will, unless you get lots of good instruction or only go out on very light air days) they do not stay still. They project a huge barn door of a trampoline to the wind and will be moving downwind quickly, with or without you. Keep that in mind when you and the family hit the water. Have the wife swim for the kid while you hold onto the boat, sail back for them after you right it, but as many have said, you will have trouble righting it alone. It can be done if everything works, but you have to know what you are doing ahead of time.

Read the short article I just posted about the America's Cup crews, the best mono sailors in the world, trying to figure out mulithulls. Guess what, even they flipped it. So be sure the wind isn't blowing too hard (no more than 10 the first few times out) and be sure it's an -onshore- breaze, as that's where you will be headded when the boat leaves you in the water. We've all done it. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

First off, the 20 is a great boat, I had one for 6 years. Now the drawbacks... Not a great family boat, too many lines. Someone is always sitting on something you want to uncleat (not good if its blowing some). If your crew can help by trimming make sure they know what you mean when you scream "GIVE ME MORE DOWNHAUL!" or "RELEASE THE JIB...NOW!!!". You'll end up upside down.

Tried racing with my then 8 year old and did great until the wind picked up. Got kinda hairy, got one hand on the tiller and one on the main sheet and none for the downhaul, outhaul, barberhauler, jib sheet... you know what I mean. Went for a swim. Blowing like it was I was able to right the boat pretty quick and finish.

Next race, son says "Dad, is it OK if we don't go out?" Note: Last race on the 20, sold it the next summer.

Good news is I now hava a Stiletto 27 that I can put the whole family on (and all of their friends) and bought my son a 5.2 (he's older now) so he can be in charge.

Clayton

Good luck!

I agree.. get a smaller cat to start... you can always sell it and upgrade after you get a few 100 hours under your belt (really). Even a hobie 16 can get wild when a storm cloud forms over head..

I have found beach cats keep their resell value very well as long as you dont trash it.

Heck, even a Hobie 18 can be overpowering when it's windy.

I would look at the hobie wave or if you need something bigger hobie getaway with mast float. The nacra 5.0 or 5.7, prindle 16, g-cat 5.0 type boats would be ok choices too but will be less forgiving than the wave or getaway. I went from racing keelboats to sailing my Nacra 5.0 and while that experience has helped the catamaran is very much a different type of sailing, I rented a Getaway before getting my boat and the Getaway will feel lightning quick compared to any big keelboat.

I'm gonna have to agree with the other replies- the Hobie 20 is not the boat for you. It's a great boat, my family had one for several years, but it is a racing boat. It's intended to be sailed by two experienced sailors with at least 300lb of crew weight. It will almost certainly be way too much boat for you in any wind above 10mph. It's unforgiving and will be on it's side before you even realize you did something wrong.

Not to mention that the rigging is sophistocated, there are lines all over the place, and it's fairly delicate. Not a good starter boat.

sm

But the Getaway is a lot heavier than the Wave; so there, again, you have the issue of whether you would be able to pull it out out of the water by yourself.

Weightwise, I don't think the Getaway would be too heavy to pull out of the water using a decent sedan.

The getaway weights in at 390 lbs and then figure in another 350 for the trailer.

My H16 weighs in at 340 and the OLD trailer weighs in at 380 and my Ford Focus can pull it out. It had to gunt a little on the steep ramp, but it did it. Now a gravel ramp......no chance in moving it.

I grew up around power boats, water skiing, and have to admit that the width of a H20 is goign to be the biggest pain when maneuvering the trailer in tight quarters.

A H20 is going to be much much wider than the car or an 18 foot skiff, so backing it into a parking spot will be tough.

I wasn't thinking about a car -- thinking beach wheels. But if you use a trailer, weight wouldn't really be quite so much of an issue, because you can winch it onto the trailer (if you can get the trailer deep enough in the water to get the boat started on the rollers).

I haven't sailed on a Getaway, but I think you have to trapeze off the wings, don't you? Might be a little scary and precarious for a 5-year-old. I also don't know how easy a Getaway is to right. Maybe somebody else can say.

If you have a nice, light aluminum trailer and a dolly wheel on the front, you can just unhitch it from the car and roll it by hand into its parking spot, piece of cake, no matter what boat.

Also, we have turned all of our trailers into flatbeds now, 8'6" wide, and it makes it a lot easier to get the boat on and off, because you don't have to worry about keeping the hulls lined up on rollers.

One more thing: If you are going to keep the boat in a marina parking lot, whether mast is up or down, the boat needs to be tied to the trailer, and the trailer needs to be anchored somehow to the ground. Maybe the marina has anchor points into the asphalt or concrete or whatever it is.

Just a quick replay regarding the Getaway: Most Getaways do not come with trapezes just wing seats. The Getaway is in credibly easy to control in a blow and trapeze is not needed. Also the Getaway to me is easy to move up a beach on beach wheels. Plus the Getaway is a piece of cake to rig. Just a fun easy boat to sail and one more thing you can carry 6 adults on it with room to spare. Has coolers built into each hull and big front tramp for the kids, supper durable, etc. Oh I almost forgot, add the motor mount and put a nice 2.5 hp motor on it for those windless days. The lists of advantages go on and on! No it’s not a racing boat but who cares if you can set it up quick and get on the water and have fun sailing while those Hobie 20 & Nacra guys are still at the beach taking all that time to rig their boats.

Sounds good.
Is the Getaway easy for one person to right?

Please try a smaller boat first! The Hobie Wave would be a great place to start. The bigger boats are a handful - my 20 foot Nacra 6.0 is called Animal, with good reason: it is no respecter of inexperience!

I don't know if you're supposed to trap off the wings on the Getaway

And not being able to trapeze is bad when you have kids, because they usually LOVE to trapeze. I'm going to put my trapeze wires (if I can find them) back on my Wave so my grandchildren can try it. And we still have the jib here somewhere.

There are pros and cons for every boat... but if you want some more racing abilities than the rotomolded boats offer (wave, getaway) I am sure you would do fine with almost any 16 foot (5 meter) boat.. i.e. Hobie, G-Cat, Prindle.... Just realize that you need to pay attention to weather if you have young crew aboard... as these boats can power up with gusts...

Here you go Mary <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> I start mine at 6 (this is not her, got it of thebeachcats) , now has 9 years of experience and loves it. Will email it to you. Can't do to file is to large and url doesn't work anymore

Doug

Going to the 20 is like getting off a scooter onto a Ducati 900 grand prix bike in the wet with a sticky accelerator.

If you flip, and you will, just stay with the boat and keep your son safe.

In 12/15 knots of off shore wind that pop up on a quite day you will not get home.

I would suggest you get a ride on one and flip it before you buy it. If you want your 5 year old going over the top of that arc, go for it.
I am a firm believe in an attrition rate to life.

Check out the comments of the AC mono guys about multis.

Think about how much of this choice is about your ego and not your boys enjoyment.

I don't want to be a total kill-joy so I will say that if you have some GOOD skills you might get away up to a 16 with some judicious decision making before leaving shore.

Unfortunately the H16 is over powered and hard to right so a more cultured 16 would be a good choice.

Jeff2,
Maybe I missed this somewhere, but is your wife a sailor? At all? That could make a BIG difference in your decision about what boat to get. Has she been reading this thread, and the original one?

You're not. The options are supposed to be mutually exclusive.

Matt, are you saying that you can get the boat without the wings and with trapezes instead?

"Even a Hobie 18"? I won't dwell on that...

The Miracle 20 is indeed a racing boat: It has a lighter hull, so it will take less beach wear. It can get flippy. Why not go to a local sailing Fleet in your area and try a few of them? I know if you were in Buffalo NY, we'd walk you around the boats and explain each one of them to you.

Wyatt

The first time we capsized our Hobie 18 the wind was only 5 mph. We were slowly on our way out to the race course and not really paying attention to anything and our sheets were cleated, because the wind was so light. Well, a little puff of wind came along from a different direction, and over we went. Then, of course, it was back to 5 mph, and it was extremely difficult for the two of us to right the boat. At that time we were sailing at minimum crew weight of 285 lbs. And we were both very experienced catamaran sailors (or so we thought <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />).

That's my understanding from Matt Miller.

Skipping the 20 part, launching off a trailer SHOULD be simply untying the boat from the ground, installing the jib, backing it down the ramp, pulling it to the dock, and putting the main up. If you stay focused, that could take 10 minutes, and no more than 20. Same thing coming in, plus some additional time to dig out the keys and go get the car. Pretty easy to winch up the trailer, even with cradles vs rollers, although someone might need to guide the bow.

As to the 20, I don't know of a single newbie couple who bought one and still sail it. If you flip, will your wife and kid laugh or cry? If they will laugh, go for it.

Thanks for all the great advice. Bobbing in the water next to my wife and son looking at our capsized Hobie 20 or NACRA would be a debacle.

I sailed a Wave with my son about a month ago in Turks and Caicos. He loved it. I'd like a bit more room so 3 of us aren't sitting on top of one another. I'm now strongly considering a Getaway. I'd probably remove the wings to start.

Thanks again,

Jeff

Sound choice!... Why remove the wings? they are a fabulious feature!

Glad to here you made that choice.

Just something to keep in mind with little ones.

I had been taking my than 7 year old daughter out on our h16 in really light wind (because I was a newbie) I did this several times and never had a real problem or thought twice about it. Last year, (my second season), I was out solo in medium-light winds 8 to 10 MPH and got knocked off the boat. Yes the boat took off several yards (probably 40) and stopped. while I was swimming back to my boat, I started thinking, what if my daughter had been on the boat with me?

She probably would have been safe at first, but, what if... I know we can play the what if game all day so I wont do that now.

Even tho all of my kids are great swimmers and love the water, my new rule is, if they can not think and react, with, "What do I do now", there are 2 people that can handle the boat aboard.

every child learns different! I know I have 4 from ages 8 to 19.

Enjoy your new boat and keep safety first.

Sam

I agree that safety comes first, especially with kids on board... so teach them how to un-cleat the lines... what to do if you fall off (or they do). make them wear their PFD's at all times (as should you) and sail only under control... that being said.. The drive to the beach is much more dangerous than the sailing.

I was sailing solo (sunfish)at 10 years...

I'll take my 4yo on the cat, but only with another competent person on board. Their job is to take care of the munchkin. If the munchkin falls off, I fully expect the "crew" to jump in after him.

This rule is the same for the skiff as well as the cat.

Agreed with Zilla, be safe.

I don't want to confuse you about this but other 16s are easily right-able and less of a tank than the Getaway.

Something about children on boats.
There was a Novascotian here several years ago circumnavigating the planet.
He adopted an Ethiopian boy and a Chinese girl as he went.
The kids were 5 and 3 when here and have never seen such water-wise urchins.
When kids are on board, teach, teach, teach!

One can get the Getaway without wings, without traps, can get it with wings only, with wings and traps, any combo. Also Getaway comes with mast float and is easier to right than the TheMightyHobie18 by far. With the assistance of the wind you can right it solo, I weigh 150 lbs.

I too will go on record about the Getaway.

I can understand the benefits and attractions of the Hobie Wave, but this doesn't extent to the Hobie Getaway.

It is HEAVY : 390 lbs = 177 kg (were typical 16 foot beach cats are 140-150 kg)
It has quite alot of sail area = 180 sq. ft. (More then typical 16 beach cats like Nacra 500, Prindle 16 etc)
And that beam in front (under the jib bridles) is a pitchpole waiting to happen if ever it hits the water surface or catches a wave.
The mast has no diamond wires and has to be relatively heavy to keep teh 180 sq. ft.up. (less ease of righting ?)

Even if it is easier to right then a TheMightyHobie18 with the help of the wind that still makes it a PITA to right. The Hobie 18 was never an easy boat to right in my book and as Mary has written earlier if you flip it in little wind you'll be working hard to right it. In that book it is no different to say the Hobie 16 and it is harder to right then the Nacra 500 and several other glass beach cats of the same 16 foot (5.05 mtr) length.

While the Wave fills a nice niche the Getaway is nothing more then an inferiour 16 foot beach cat with beer coolers and rotomoulded hulls that are abuse resistant.

When put side by side with say a Nacra 500 the Getaway pretty much looses on all points. As such I really don't understand its attractiveness, but that may just be me.

Wouter

I would rather get a Nacra 500 but there are no used ones near me. There is a Getaway available. Sailors and dealers have indicated that owners love their 500s and 520s so there is no resale market. As a family experiment, I can't afford a new 520. If all enjoy the Getaway this Summer, then I'd likely try to buy a new Nacra 520 next year. But I need to start with used in case the family is unhappy sailing.

Family recreation is a multi-dimensional problem <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Jeff

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.

Jeremy,
I don't know if anybody has really answered my question yet about whether he would be able to right the Getaway by himself in all conditions. To me that is the most important thing.

Do we know how much he weighs? I am getting lost in this thread and don't have time to go back and re-read everything.

It is always amazing how many different factors there are to consider when choosing a boat. Maybe it is because we have SO many different boats to choose from <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

No doubt Mary. Truly righting your boat is an important feature for sure. There are righting bags that work well and I've mounted the Rick White righting pole to several Getaways if there is any question of righting ability.

Hey Harry,

I completely agree with the conclusions at the end of this post, but you were really losing me there at the beginning.

I can't imagine any crew of any age that would be bored of a Hobie 16 that is raced well, i.e. competitively at the top of the pack in your Division, D11. That is one tough nut to crack. Of course, there are exceptions, such as Wicked Steph, but she's been around the world at the top of the game before moving to the Tiger.

So which boat were you using when you were bouncing your niece off the harware? And how does that make it an inferior boat? Or were you making some other point there??? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Mike

mmm....the wave is becoming more attractive....too bad I don't like the price tag.

I've heard this 'board on the 16' speak a number of times. Would a 16A fleeter from Div 11 just smoke this 18 around the track already so we can get to the end of it please? Or at least get Megan to crew on a well sailed 16.

You should be able to find a used Wave for $2,000-$2,500. And after that they usually hold that resale value indefinitely.