Advice on buying a Getaway

I have just been informed that after 21 years working rotating swing shifts, I will be promoted into a job that is day work with weekends and Holidays off!!!! This is terrific!!!! I have never as an adult had a good income AND a normal schedule...I believe I'll adapt well
With all this additional time off I think it would be reasonable to consider getting a Getaway. We have a H16 and LOVE it, but we would like to take friends out too. I think I might try to keep the H16...I don't know.
What should I look or look out for in a Getaway? If I go used what years are trouble? I remember looking at one in Summer 2006, it was a 2001 and the hulls were cracked in a few places such as where the wings bolted on and by the rudder mounts.
Are there different packages? What is the most bang for the buck? Whatever we get it WILL have wings. I've been half heartedly looking and there isn't much of a used market in these parts so I realize we may be going brand new. Any advice as always will be deeply appreciated.

_________________
1981 H16.
1993 Macgregor 26S

There seem to be very few used on the market. You may try contacting your dealer and seeing if they are selling off there demo's or if they have some older models in stock. Congrats on the job promotion and enjoy those weekends off!

_________________
Brad Stephens
[email protected]
(866) 786-5266 <--- Advice HOTline
http://www.sunjammers.com
www.facebook.com/sunjammers

I always swore I'd avoid dealers when it came to buying boats. That was before I was exposed to the Hobie company and how well they support their older products. Backyard Boats (Hobie Dealer) has been great on parts for my 1981 H16. I think I'll drop them a line and see what they might have.
As of now I'm testing the waters and information mining, but who knows. Chances are by Summer we will have a Getaway because I want one and as my wife says...thats the way I am.

_________________
1981 H16.
1993 Macgregor 26S

You have a great dealer to work with! I am sure you will be able to work something out with them! Let us know how it goes!

_________________
Brad Stephens
[email protected]
(866) 786-5266 <--- Advice HOTline
http://www.sunjammers.com
www.facebook.com/sunjammers

When we bought our Getaway in September there were very few used ones available, which was required for our budget. So we travelled 1.5 states away to meet the seller half-way for our delivery. At the time there were some boats on the east coast that may be still ones for you to consider. We chose ours for the same reasons, the ability to carry more crew, the wings, front tramp and the rotomolded hulls.

_________________
Experienced monohull sailer, new to Hobies. I chose a Getaway to get started. Sailing in Northern Calif.

Some great bargains can be had on used fiberglass catamarans, but the roto-molded boats hold their value tremendously well. If you can even find a used Getaway in your area you might save a little bit of money, but you will have a boat of unknown condition, no warranty and no support other than parts sales. Certain replacement items can be very expensive, as well. If you had to replace just the sails and trampolines on a used boat, you would out a couple of thousand dollars. The wing sets are another thousand. It's very unusual to see a damaged rotomolded hull but if you do find a used boat with splits or tears in the hull, walk away.
Good luck,
Todd Craig

As far as trailers and Beach Wheels go. Is a getaway's beam the same as a H16? Will a Getaway be ok on my H16 trailer with rollers or do they require pads or cradles?

_________________
1981 H16.
1993 Macgregor 26S

The Gateway is wider than the H16 (search around, the dimensions are here). Mine is on a roller trailer. Double rollers are recommended. I'v been debating on selling mine. The front net is torn and needs replaced.

Let me say for the record, I love my Gateway. It's just more of an asset reallocation thing than a problem with the boat.