Hobie Cat Forums

Hey everybody, I just took possession of a new Getaway! This replaces my 2001 Getaway and I am looking forward to getting out on it next weekend! I sail off the beach at Galveston, Texas.

I have now had 4 cats: a Hobie 16 in the 1980s, a Trac 16 in the 1990s, and the 2 Getaways. The Hobie 16 was heavily used before I bought it and it died following a brief but exhilarating sail in 40+ winds where the the tramp corner castings were fractured from flying off the back side of the waves. The Trac 16 was a fantastic boat with amazing balance, I could ride it for long stretches up on one hull at the balance point. The rudder system was also very good and I had a spinnaker custom made for it. After a bit more than a decade I traded it on the '01 Getaway, I had been waiting for a new boat to come out with the features I like (boomless, roller furling, no daggerboards, big tramp layout, etc.). The wings were also a major selling point as these allow us to keep our faces out of the salt water spray, especially when heading out through the surf.

I guess this is a pretty big endorsement for Hobie that I am staying with the Getaway. These boats really take a pounding in the surf and keep on trucking, they are easy to rig and sail, maintenance is low, and they are just a ton of fun. Thanks Hobie (Matt Miller please pass along as appropriate), and I'll see you guys on the downwind reach! Holland.