It appears that you are ready for a beach cat, whether Hobie, NACRA, Prindle or what ever. The boat that suits you best? Number one question, how much money do you want to spend? You can get 16's, Getaways, and Waves new. Late model boats in great condition will cost more too. You can buy a serviceable 16 for a grand or so. Number 2 question, how many people do you want/expect to carry? Hobie 16 is good for maybe 3, Wave for 2 or 3, H17 for 2, Hobie 18 for 4-5, Getaway for 6, 21 for 6 maybe 8? (yes you can physically cram more people on any of these, but this is a "normal" number that allows decent sailing. I sometimes carried 5 on my 17, but it was mostly underwater) Number 3, do you want to solo it? Wave, 16, 17, Getaway. 18 if you are really big. 21? I have no idea. The smaller boats you can handle and right by yourself, maybe with the use of a water bag if you're not as fat as I am. As far as leeway, no cat points very well. The 14s and 16s have assymetrical hulls that use the Bernoulli principle. 17, 18, 20 and 21 have dagger boards or center boards. Wave and Getaway have long shallow keels molded into the plastic hulls. Speaking of that, no the plastic hull don't soften in the sun. They are rotomolded like so many kayaks are now, and are pretty indestructible! The fiberglass hulled boats require more care, and if buying used, very careful inspection. I bought a used 17 that had a centerboard trunk crack that pretty much sunk the boat. Yeah, you can add a motor. Look at the thread in the Getaway forum for KeithB's mount ("motor mount of my own design") I had a Cheata mount, then built that one. I use and electric motor, but plenty of people use 2.5 or 3hp gas motors. I often sail on the Great Lakes and have some stories, so for me a motor is a necessity.
Now my personal experience. I've had a couple of 17s, sailed 16s, and currently have a Getaway. The 16 is a fun fast boat. Think of it as a Camaro. They capsize pretty easily. The 17 is a 1 or 2 person hot rod that loves big wind. It's a Corvette. The Getaway has tons of room and is slower than a 16 until winds get above 20 mph, then it's pretty even. I've only capsized once in 11 years and I push the hell out of it. It's an Impala. The 18 would be an Impala SS. The 21? Maybe a Lagonda??
Now, wings. 17, 18 SX and Magnum, Getaway, and 21 have wings. Game changers. Once you've sailed with wings, it's hard to go back. The 4 guys with 16s that I often sail with like to trade boats with me and are all trying to figure out how to fit wings on their boats.
_________________ Yet another Bob! "Firefly" - 2012 Hobie Getaway with wings and spinnaker "Sparky" - 1978 Sunfish (OK, it's not a Hobie, but it's a fun little craft) Too many canoes and kayaks
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