Hey guys, new sailor here. Try and keep the flames to a minumum.
Family recently bought a Getaway, took it out with my brother last weekend for the first time.
Couple things, we were in very strong winds (30kph +). Boat was really moving, but incapable of turning into the wind. Seemed to just get blown backwards. When we tried to turn, the boat went really slowly, stopping almost. I guess my question would be is there a special way of sailing these boats (vis a vis a single hull)? Can they sail up wind well?
Found the mainsheet to be very difficult to work to be honest. Basically you cleat to bring the sheet down towards the boat, and then pull the main in and cleat it? Its a two pulley system? It just didn't seem easy to use at all actually, makes me wonder if its been rigged (by the dealer) improperly.
When we started moving and were about to go over (a couple times) it was difficult to uncleat the main (it seems to cleat itself).
One more thing, should the rudder handle be under all the sail rigging, or are you supposed to put it around the sail every time you turn?
Thanks everyone for your help, maybe a book that explains hobie sailing?
G
Optimus, I think the first diference between cats, and monohulls is in tacking: Push the tiller over slowly, not one quick push like a mono! If you shove the tiller over too quickly the water resistance of the second hull acts like a brake, and you stall the boat head to wind. Do a seach on this forum on tacking, and then buy Rick White's video "Total Boat Handling" available right here at Catsailor.com! When learning to tack the boat you may want to "backwind" the jib to help pull you over onto the new tack, then once the main has come around, release the jib, and tighten up on the new side. If you are stalled head to wind, push both the tiller and mainsail away from you as you back up. The boat will eventually come around, and you can adjust the tiller and sails once she does. Good luck! You are in for a lot of fun!
You are correct - the tiller should be behind the main sheet. This does require you to pass the tiller hand to hand while tacking or gybing.
Try going to the User Forums section of the Hobie Cat web site. There's a forum set up specifically for the Getaway ( clicky here )
Theres a lot of stuff on the Hobie website (HobieCat.com) like their learn to sail page (here) that will make your experience more enjoyable.
Taking the boat out in high winds right off the bat was probably not the best way to learn the boat. 
Welcome to the world of cat sailing! The Getaway looks like a fun boat.
Not sure why you think you'd get flamed here! Lots of good folks and info to be had, regardless of what people might tell you. It's also a shame that instead of offering an answer somebody feels the need to re-direct you to another forum. Oh well. By all means check out all resources available, but this is a great place for help and answers and chat.
Some basics for cat-tacking:
Make sure when you start your tack that you are pointing close to the wind but also moving well (not pinching). You'll find that your cat stops as well as it accelerates, so being at speed and keeping things moving is important.
As you make your turn, release a bunch of mainsheet as you head up into the wind. Leaving the mainsheet tight will "weathervane" the boat, leaving you in irons and sailing backwards. Don't re-sheet the main until you have completed your turn and have established the jib on the new tack. If you sheet it back in too early (before the boat is moving on the new tack) you'll just point it up into the wind again.
Try to sail the jib through normally, although it might be helpful to "backwind" it - leave it sheeted on the old side until it gets backwinded and pushes the bow through the turn, then release it and sheet in on the new side. It's not preferable to do the backwind thing (wear on the sail and all), but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do! Try different variations on the themes, see what works best for you and your boat. Also be aware that different conditions may require different levels of the techniques as well.
If you find yourself going backwards - no big deal. Just turn your rudders so that the stern goes the way you want it to make the boat head in the direction of the new tack. It happens to all of us at one point or another (although we might not want to admit it). You'll find that you might end up in this situation more often than not in wavy conditions, where the forward momentum is hard to maintain through the tack.
You'll find that different catamarans need differing levels of these techniques. For instance, a uni rig boat will need much more mainsheet let out to complete the turn and get established on the new tack.
Welcome to cat sailing and welcome to CatSailor!
It is unlikely that a boardless leisure-sailing type cat would sail well to windward compared to a keel boat, for example. boardles cats get upwind ok, not great though. technique is important.
The mainsheet blocks are an item that many people upgrade. the harken blocks advertised here on this site being the best in many people's minds.
enjoy