I have sailed big boats for a while, but am between my last boat and the next one. Be a few years before I can get the next one in the water. Never sailed a small cat (other than resort boats) but want to get into it to get my skill levels up etc.
Intended use will be me (100 kilo male - 220 pounds) usually and occassionally wife (50 kilo) or son daughter etc. Will race but dont want the fastest boat just the easiest. also plan to do a few very long distance trips.
Thinking Nacra 5 or hobie getaway - advice??
The Getaway would be a good boat to learn on, but I don't know what racing there is for it in AUS.
Sounds like you are the perfect candidate for a Hobie 16. Simple, easy to sail, lots of racing possibilities. Perfect for a husband/wife or father/child team.
Go to here for more info.
If you are planning to do long-distance trips, the Getaway would be a good choice, because it can carry more weight/gear/people than the Hobie 16 and would be a little drier, and would be more comfortable because of the wings.
Hi Andrew,
Nacra 5 would be a great boat for you.... They have a good fleet up there. The Hobie 16 would be another good choice. I do not know of any Getaway's in OZ so this may not be a good boat for your location.
Drop down to your local club and check out what father/son boats are being sailed. Ask advice from local sailors. Also ring Dealers such as a local Hobie dealership or Brisbane cat centre(NACRA).
Post on the Australian Cat Forum http:/
Good Luck.
Thanks evryone for your help, isnt the net a marvellous thing 
Andrew,
Welcome to cat sailing. You will never look back. My only recommendation, you need a boat at least 18 feet. If you're 100 kgs, and you've got a wife and kids growing up fast, you'll need a little more boat to handle all that load. The Getaway does it too, but it doesn't perform, in my opinion, well enough to be competetively raced when you mix it up with other classes. Maybe that's not a problem. Fair winds.
Just my 2 cents.