H16 vs Getaway

First of all, I would like to thank the admins and members of this forum for the invaluable information provided here. I've read the majority of the posts in the forum in order to familiarize myself with Hobie Cats and I feel very knowledgeable (again, thanks to all of you)… of course, now comes the hard (fun) part, getting one of these things and go sailing! Woohooo!!

Here’s the dilemma I have. I’ve been reading about both the H16 and the Getaway. And I don’t know which one to get.

I’m 38 years-old, live in Southern California (15 minutes from the ocean) so this cat will be used in salt water. We have two small children (ages 3 and 1) and I want something that I, along with the family can enjoy for years to come. I’ve sailed on a friend’s sailboat before and I’ve been surfing for years.

My questions are: 1) Is one or the other better for ocean sailing? 2) on the Hobie Getaway site, on the pictures and videos, they show children as young as five on it. Will my kids have to wait much longer until they can go on a H16? 3) I have limited space to store the cat. Does the Getaway somehow collapse better or do I have to leave it on the side of the house on a trailer?

Thank you for the tips.

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Jorge (So. Cal)
either a H16 or Getaway in the near future

I used to have a 16 and have repaired many over the years. I haven't sailed a Getaway, but have sailed a Wave. I tried to move a Getaway on the beach at San Felipe a few years ago and found it to be very heavy (compared to a Hobie 16) and without any places to grab hold of to pick it up and or move it. To make a decision one way or the other, you owe it to your family to try each before you spend the $$. As far as the actual weight of the Getaway, maybe someone else knows offhand...

The Get is heavier by about 70lbs (390 vs 320, just looked it up), a little more if w/ wings. Not a big deal, unless you plan on beach launching w/beach wheels. If you plan on trailering to launch, really not an issue. And if storage is an issue, what would you do w/ a trailer?
You can take either one apart to store, say long term/off-season, but this is probably not going to be something you are going to do every time you take it out.

The Getaway seems to have way more trampoline space, esp w/ the forward tramp area. And the wings add the security/comfort feel somewhat. I think it safe to say more of a family boat. The 16 is more of a performance boat. Either can safely accomodate the small family though.

I would say either is equally capable of ocean sailing.

As far as kids, I would not take any child on a cat who cannot float/swim/manuever themselves with a pfd. I think 3 would be absolute minimum age, depending on swimming ability. And then only in light wind.

My $.02

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Jim

2007 Hobie Wave