Finally taking the plunge

I finally finished all of my research and have taken the plunge and ordered my Getaway from Jeremy down at Surf City Catamarans (Santa Cruz). Jeremy has been completely awesome to deal with for all of my pre-sales questions. Anyone considering buying a cat should read this forum and if they live in California talk to Jeremy. All going well I will be able to pick up the boat on Friday.

I am reminded of the anticipation I used to feel as a kid in the last few days before Xmas. I had thought it was a sensation that was lost now I have entered adulthood and have kids of my own.

Unfortunately, I have been totally unsuccessful in procuring a wetsuit to fit my ample frame. A couple of shops here in the bay area have XL in stock, but according to the the sizing charts these will fit up to 260lbs. I am still a few pounds north of that and need a 5XL, which of course no one stocks for me to try on. Looks like I will have to rely on blubber rather than rubber to keep me warm out in the bay and inland lakes of NorCal.

I also still need to get a tow hitch fitted to the Windstar, but U-Haul promises me they have one in stock so that is a job for tomorrow.

If you are going sailing near the bay area this weekend and don't mind a newbie tagging along please let me know.

Congrats on your new toy! I am sure you will get years of enjoyment with it.

I got the boat today and it was great!!!

Jeremy was a total star. I ordered the boat on Monday. It arrived with Jeremy late Wednesday and he built it Thursday so I could sail on Friday.

I arrived down in Santa Cruz this morning and Jeremy turned up with the boat. We spent an hour or so rigging her so he could show me how everything goes together. I had downloaded and read the assembly manual from the Hobie site so it was easy to follow what he was doing and understand why. I really recommend that people download and read everything available before getting their hands on the boat and become distracted.

Once the boat was rigged and paperwork sorted Jeremy showed me how to launch the boat from the trailer and we went out for a sail. Winds started at around 5kts but quickly built briefly to around 10 - 15kts. Jeremy explained all of the parts of the boat and we went through a couple of test tacks. Then he handed things over to me and I had a blast.

I dropped Jeremy back at the dock and headed out to get a feel for the boat singled handed. The wind had dropped to 8kts which made practice tacking much easier. I had read on this he many threads that walk through the theory of tacking a cat and found the techniques easy to use and very helpful.

After I was comfortable with the handling of the boat I started chasing down the little mono hulls so I could fly past with a nonchalant wave. There really should be a warning on the boat to beware of inflating your ego.

Finally I got back to the dock where Jeremy helped get the boat back up onto the trailer for my drive back home.

It was an amazing day - mostly thanks to Jeremy - and I cannot have imagined a better introduction to the world of cat sailing.

Now I just have to work out how to get the damn tiller extension round the back of the main sheet when I tack.

_________________
2007 Getaway

Welcome to our ranks, it sounds like your first time out went much better than some do.

As for the tiller extension, just hand it around. From one hand to the other.

_________________
Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

Dang! Thanks.

I love it when people read up on the products, it makes my job easier!! Being an informed consumer will also make you more happy with the products--no matter what you're buying.

Our sail reconfirmed how much fun sailing the Getaway is, so I just bought one for the shop. This winter when the swells get big I plan on loading up the coolers, getting a few friends together and surfing the open water swells down to Capitola and have lunch. That boat surfs really well.

Any of you California Getaway guys, should come up and do the fleet 240 Moss Landing Challenge on Aug 25-26. It's the best regatta--of any class of boats-- I've ever attended. 13 miles downwind.

Thanks again for the compliments and for getting me on the water!!

_________________
Sail Revolution
Join us on our new FB Page!

Nerfrider -
Can you give me an update on your experience with the Getaway? I'm located in the Northeast and it sounds like I am probably about your size so I'm interested in knowing how user friendly the boat is for us big guys!
Thanks!

The boat has been great and more importantly my kids are hooked which will mean I get to sail more
I have not been out as much as I would like due to traveling for work. That being said I have taken her out as follows :-

solo four times

with my friend twice

with my kids twice

with my kids and my friend twice

and finally with my friend, my kids and his kids (total 8 people)

Originally I had concerns about going solo due to the trailering and mast stepping. I now have the hang of both and will be unlikely to bother with the stepping system. One of the trips out with my friend was specifically to capsize and try to get it back up. I was able to get it righted fairly easily and with the wings I found it quite easy to climb back on. I love the boat and after much reflection have decided that now I have some experience it is still the boat I would buy. I am now just trying to work out if I am going to get the outboard fitted.

If you have any specific questions my email is (craig at harris-net dot com).

If you are around my size I am interested to find out what you do for a wet suit.

_________________
2007 Getaway

I would get a custom suit--I'm sure there are some suits available.

Alternately get the NRS catalogue and look for a NRS Grizzly wetsuit and wear a spray top. http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp? ... eptid=1162 Can you squeeze in 4x?

Dan

_________________
Dan St. Gean
'82 H 18
'96 H Wave