Getaway can't point

There has been a lot of discussion about the getaway's inability to point well. I have sailed lots of different cats and I can tell you from first hand experience that cats with dagger boards generally will point better than cats without. Both the 16 and the getaway rely a lot on the rudders to provide lateral resistance. I think the 16 points a little better that the getaway because it doesn't have rounded bottoms like the getaway. Anyway that’s my opinion for what its worth

Not to be a curmudgeon.

But why would you buy something that points worse then a 16?

Pointing ability? This varies from boat to boat, with all kinds of boats. It also varies greatly with the sail rig and how that is managed. Yes, daggers will help a boat point higher, centerboards maybe a little less, asymmetrical hulls and then symmetrical hulls with keels like the Wave and Getaway.

They all have pros and cons. High aspect daggers are not easily managed and are not forgiving when impacting the bottom or rocks. Centerboards are easier and will retract. Asymmetrical hulls like the 16 are great for all around use. They were originally designed for easy beach launching and surf. The Wave and Getaway designed hulls are simpler. They tack easier than asymmetrical hulls while still offering good up wind performance.

Worse pointing than a 16? Maybe a bit, but not that much. Most cats will not be sailed to the optimal upwind performance angles anyway. People just like to reach and go fast. The advantages of the Getaway are many though... much larger capacity, tramp area, durability, lower purchase price, boomless, furling jib and wing option to name a few.

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

Don’t get me wrong Matt I wasn’t trying to belittle the Getaway, after all I just ordered a new 2006 Getaway to replace my aging 16. Its just that there has been a fair amount of discussion about the getaway not pointing well and I just wanted to express my opinion.

I dont agree with the pointing comment, at least not at lower speeds. I use my GPS to keep track of speed, etc. A quick look at the track on the screen shows the getaway points quite well for a cat - each tack almost 90 degrees to the previous. obviously the sail needs to be rigged flat and traveler pulled in.