I've had both, a 25' Hunter and now a H16. You can buy a Hobie for the price of a season slip rental. My biggest reason I went to the Hobie is my wife has no interest in sailing, so I can enjoy the boat solo. A 25' boat is not the easiest to solo, including docking. A large mono hull is great in the spring and fall and night sailing, but when its HOT it Sucks! A cat can be enjoyed in cooler weather also, just buy a spray top and pants to stay dry. One big difference I love about my Hobie is that we have a large group that sail together, so we go out for a few runs and come back and have a beer on the beach. On a big boat you are generally out for hours at a time and its nice to just get off the boat sometimes. Look into if your area has a place to keep your cat on or near a beach with the mast up, its awesome. You can sail a cat in a relaxing manner or rip it up. The Getaway would probably be the best for just cruising as it has wing seats that you can sit on or use as a backrest. This boat also has a little less performance. Both types of boats have their advantages and disadvantages. You need to decide what is more important, cabin, slow
, or inexpensive and exciting or relaxing. Some people really dislike how a mono hull leans while a cat sails flat, unless you want to fly a hull! Also consider the maintenance for a big boat, hour to wash bugs, cobwebs etc every weekend, bottom paint, engine, trailer storage, boat storage in off season, marina fees to launch and pull if required expensive trailer tires that have to be replaced due to the trailer just sitting. A cat has very little maintenance and I have yet to clean mine while it sits on the beach. Both have value and some day wouldn't mind having one of each.