Looking for opinions

I'm getting back in to sailing after 20 odd years off. I've previously owned a Hobie 14 Turbo I bought new in 1984. I sailed it for four seasons then had to sell it to start paying college loans off. My situation today: I have a wife , a four year old and a seven year old who have never sailed. I'd like to get them into the sport while meeting a few hot points.

1. Although I need a boat for the family, I'd like to be able to sail solo once in a while. So I need to be able to rig it myself.

2. I'm willing to give up some performance for stability.

3. It needs to fit in my garage ( 3 car 20' deep)

4. I live in Nebraska so big water is hard to come by. Lakes around 700 acres

I've looked at all cats from the bravo to the getaway. Each is perfect for some part of my criteria. My only comparison is the 14 Turbo. So I'm interested in comparisons between the boats. I know this is a broad subject, but I've become paralyzed by indecision. I need some objective viewpoints.

Thanks for your help.

Rich

Do you need to fit the mast in that 20ft space as well? If so, then that's going to put a limit on your choices. The Bravo lists at 19ft mast and the Wave at 20ft. The Getaway and 16 are both over 20ft masts.

Even so, both the Getaway and the 16 are 16'7" long. Stick them on a trailer and you're going to be getting close to your 20' max overall length if not exceeding it.

sm

Wave and Getaway masts break down into two sections. Plus it is easy to separate and join back together.

If I were you, I would go either Wave or Getaway. If speed and carrying capacity are paramount, get a getaway. If ease of sailing and mostly sailing solo, get a Wave. Added Wave bonus: cheaper and there is no such thing as too much wind.

Welcome back to sailing!

Ummm.... You're 1/2 right. The Getaway mast is epoxied together during assembly (at least it better be).

I second everything scuzzlebutt said (except maybe the Getaway 2-piece mast part).

If you really want your wife and kids to get in on the sailing, I'd go with the Wave. They'll be able to take the tiller sooner.

Set up and rigging is a breeze, and moving it around solo is pretty easy. And if you want to race, there are regattas around the country. Then if you decide you want a bigger/faster boat later, Waves hold their values very well.

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2006 Hobie Wave 7358
"Ish Kabibble"

I sling the two-piece Wave mast up in separate pieces to a storage room ceiling with rope. Out of the way. The hulls are stored side by side on the floor out of the way in a rack like a bike rack.

The Wave is comparable to the H14 of old. Sail area is little smaller (95 sq ft vs 118). However, the stability and load carrying capacity (500 lbs on H14 vs 800 on Wave) is better. I researched all this while trying to get out of similar brain freeze.

I have some experience on H14 but too long ago to remember. Portsmouth numbers are better on H14 but not by too much:

http://www.ussailing.org/portsmouth/tables08/tables08mh.asp

I would give my right arm for a Wave regatta in around Dallas, New Orleans, or Houston.

Would you give up a hand or something for a Wave race as close as KC?
Also, where in NE are you from precisely? We have people there that can help you. Also, we're planning a big deal in Burwell on Lake Calamus in Sept of this year.

How about Panama City, FL? The Hobie Mid-winters East promises Wave races.

Put out the word on these forums for other Wave sailors and make your own race series.

_________________
What - Me Worry?


2006 Hobie Wave 7358
"Ish Kabibble"

maybe a finger? aw heck, just show up, will be a great time.
Wessels has guaranteed at least ten Waves

google maps from Coushatta, LA to
796 N 1190 RD Lawrence, KS 66047
(google map this address and check out the beach)
says only 11.5 hours

so Rich... if scuzzlebutt can make it, you have no excuse

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Kansas City and Panama City are both 10-12hr drives for me. Ouch!

Unfortunately work really only allows weekend trips for me and 12hrs one way turns into 24hrs round trip. Tack on sleep and there is no time for sailing

Call in sick! I'll write you an excuse. You can skip one day. 10 boats is on the short side of what I am hoping for.
Do what you can, it will be fun. Massachucetts Street at KU has been pretty darn fun the last few years, even for us older guys!

I live in Omaha. I use to sail at Saylorville Lake with my last Hobie. I moved to Nebraska 10 years ago. I guy I work with grew up in burwell. He goes to calamus every year for a family fishing event.

Great, then you can come too! Go to the Div 7 portion of www.hcspace.org and you'll see the schedule. Dave Rice lives in Omaha too, may he'll take you out and give you a ride on his new 20.

Sounds like a lot of fun!! I need to find a boat first. I'm going to our boat show in February to check out the Wave and the Getaway. My wife has to approve of the whole thing. She doesn't want me to kill the kids. In the old days I would only go out during wind warnings so the powerboats would stay in. I love to go fast. I cartwheeled a lot. Now with kids, I need to enjoy light winds and take it easy. I'm older now, so I think I will enjoy going slower. (at least that's what I keep telling myself)