Saling with a dog!

Hello all,

I’m new to the forum and I’m considering a Hobie Getaway. I’ve sailed quite a bit; logged 1400 miles this year on an Amel 53’ ketch and chartered big cats (44’) in BVI a few times. However, I’ve very little experience on smaller boats, especially cats. With that said I was hoping to ask a few questions. I’ve already read quite a few posting and it is an excellent site for information.

- I’m trying to convince my fiancé that this is the boat for SAFE fun. If I sail it conservatively (when she is with me that is) is the boat stable or do I have to worry about capsizing with every wind gust?

- Does anyone sail with their dog? Another compromise with the fiancé is that the dog gets to go (sometimes that is). I’m worried his nails will ruin the trampoline. I suppose I can cover it with something when he comes along.

I guess that is it for now…I’m still researching the boat, but so far it seems like an excellent choice to have some fun and provide my fiancé a good learning experience.

Thanks,

Kenny

When I bought my Getaway in 2003, I told the dealer that I was used to sailing a Laser, and asked if I would have trouble keeping the Getaway up. He said that if I can keep a Laser up for 10 minutes, I could go all day on a Getaway. Well, in 3 summers of sailing, I have never capsized, and I have sailed in some fairly wild conditions.

Put simply, if you do not want to capsize a Getaway (and understand how to depower a boat), you won't. The Getaway is very responsive, but also very predictable. If you avoid gybing in windy conditions, or other risky behaviours, and keep your leeward bow from submarining, the Getaway will inspire a great deal of confidence.

I am very safety conscious, and had my 2.5 year old son out with my wife this past weekend. The conditions were very tame, but I would never take such a chance with another boat. I have also had 5 adults out on the boat in 15 knots - everyone had a great (but wet) time. It is truly the ultimate family boat. It is also a very comfortable boat, which is not true of most small sailboats.

Take one out for a test sail at your nearest dealer. I'm sure you will be convinced.

Mark

I agree, it will only capsize if you want it too, or are really stupid. I have pitchpoled mine in 25 mph winds but that was intentional (intentional and stupid).

Usually, I take my boys out in 12 mph or less and we have no problems at all.

Kenny:

I've got over 100 hours logged on the '06 Getaway I bought last year. In that time I've only flipped once, and that was in 25 MPH winds when I was intentionally pushing the envelope to find out where the tipping point was. Under normal conditions the boat is a) very safe, b) very stable, and c) very fun to sail. I too had logged a lot of time in larger boats, but I find the Getaway a blast to sail.

As far a bringing a dog on board, I wouldn't. It just isn't the type of boat that one can do that in, unless you limit yourself to exceptionally calm sailing and you can find a way to keep the dog on the forward tramp, where he won't get in the way.

There's also an issue with respect to the dog's safety. Things happen, in spite of the best of plans and intentions. In the unlikely event that you capsize unintentionally, the dog will not understand what is happening, and will probably panic, if not as the boat capsizes, then once he's in the water. Even if the dog has a life jacket, someone is going to have to get him, keep him close by and safe while you're righting the boat, then get him back on board once the boat is righted.

If having the dog on board is a condition for the type of boat you choose, I'd argue that any sailboat under 22' is probably not an option.

Hello and thanks to everyone for the responses…Very helpful.

John, very good logic on the dog. He is a lab and loves the water, but he is quite large and would probably be very confused if we did capsize.

I live in Dallas and spoke to Mariner Sails and they seem like good folks. As a next step, I think I’ll ask them about a possible demo day.

Cheers,

Kenny

I take my dog named "Hobie" sailing on my getaway all the time she's a big shepard cross and she loves it, I even taught her to change sides when tacking lol. On the other hand I would not take her with me when the wind comes up and there's a chance I might go over, that's my thinking anyway.

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.