How can I point higher on My getaway?

What degree off the wind is the best I can expect to point off the wind in my Getaway? It's frustrating at times sailing upwind when I have to tack so many times. Sometimes if feels as if I'm pointing 90 degrees off the wind. I know that's not the case tho. What is your technique? I think part of my problem is that I need a better wind direction indicater. I use strips of plastic on my shrouds right now. What do u use?

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2016 Hobie Getaway
1978 Nacra 5.2

I use a similar wind indicator on the shrouds, just a piece of yarn.

Getaway isn't a great pointing boat. It points better than a windrider 17, but still not anywhere close to what you'd like it to be.

My technique is to pinch when the wind is big enough...the sails work really well even pinched. You are pinching when the jib leeward telltale is streaming but the windward jib telltale is lifting. Be sure you have your mast raked so the mainsail is nearly two blocked when sheeted to go to weather. Also, uncouple the jib tack from the forestay eye and use some line to pull the jib luff tighter using a bow shackle on a chainplate hole lower down. Finally, keep the boat in a bow up aspect (weight aft) and keep the windward hull mostly in the water so the windward skeg and rudder are still providing lateral resistance--you do this by using the traveler.

It still won't point worth a damn, but that's the best it will do.

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R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

When all the sails are tensioned... use the jib as your indicator of whether you are pinching too high. The luff will collapse if you are really too high.

Add a couple of telltails to the jib if you don't have any. If the weather tell tail lifts... you are getting too high.

Add a couple to the main at the leech as shown on the chart too. Will help to indicate if you have the main tight enough or over sheeted. These tell tails should dance around and not flow aft continuously. The weather one should flow then hook to the back side and flow... repeat.

Set the sails then just concentrate on the jib. Sit more forward in lighter winds and well aft when windy.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

I've tried furling the jib to see if I can point higher, and it "seems" to improve it. Maybe I'm using the jib wrong, so that getting rid of it improves my sailing angle.

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Yet another Bob!
"Firefly" - 2012 Hobie Getaway with wings and spinnaker
"Icebirds" - 1974 Skeeter iceboat
Too many canoes and kayaks

If you can point higher without the jib, then it is likely that your jib luff isn't tight enough or your jib is old and worn out.

Also, since there's no jib, you are likely using more rudder because of increased weather helm. You'll be slower (both because of no jib and because more rudder use), but you will point higher.

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R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

Uni rigs (Main only) typically sail higher though. The rig would have to be balanced to work like that.

One thing not yet mentioned... More mast rake helps the boat sail higher. You should be "2 blocking" (touching the main blocks together) or nearly so when fully sheeted.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

I will check my mast rake and order extra tell tales. All good tips. Thank u

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2016 Hobie Getaway
1978 Nacra 5.2

Well, most multihulls can point as well as a Wyliecat (monohull unirig) or a nonsuch. At least, that's the experience I had sailing against them here in SF Bay in singlehanded races. I think the big roach on the mainsails keep you from pointing well...for example, I removed the roach on my Triak unirig and it points much better. Have you ever made a pintop catamaran? Did it point better?

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R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

The Hobie 17 and even the 14 will out point you as well as an A Cat. All unirig cats.

They are all a bit slower on reaches and runs than a similar boat with a jib. Let alone harder to tack!

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

These are great tips Matt, Thank you.

Ensuring both skipper and crew are atleast forward of the middle wing seat bench helps alot with the Getaway when we point.

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ClamCounter
Hobie Getaway 2012 “Miss Marie”
300 Mile Everglades Challenge '12, '13, '14, '15, '16, '17, ‘18, ‘19, ‘20