The only sailing I have done is on the small cats in Jamaica I loved it as did my wife. I live in SE Illinois and have access to several nice large inland lakes. I am 58 y/o, in pretty good physical shape and am planning on using the boat for family including wife, two daughters and their husbands. We also have three grandchildren...oldest is 7 and swims like a fish.
Just sold the Bass Boat and have about $ 15K to burn on this endeavor. Since I won't be docking the boat and hauling it to the lake, thought about the following set up:
Hobie Getaway
Optional Wings
Aluminium Trailer
Torqeedo solar motor with mount
I want to be able to get the boat from the launch out into the water and also able to get back to shore should the wind die down. That is the reason for the optional motor.
My concerns are the following:
I've seen pictures on YouTube of folks up on one hull with a trapeeze outfit. I'm not planning on doing that, flipping upside down or getting any broken bones or ribs. Just want to cruise. If the son-in-laws get experience and grand kids get older I want a boat that they can sail and push the envelope.
Should I go ahead and buy the boat? Any suggestions? Should I start out on a Wave instead and move up? Thanks in advance
for the help.
Taking the Plunge Hobie Getaway
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Posted: Mar 18, 2013 - 05:24 PM
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Posted: Mar 18, 2013 - 05:51 PM
First, Welcome to TheBeachcats!
Love the "just sold the bass boat to buy a catamaran" part.
Tell us more about your future sailing location, why you think you need a motor? I'm not saying you don't, but usually the only reason people really need a motor on their beachcat is if they are forced to launch deep inside a big marina. If you are just worried about dying wind carry two paddles, one strapped to each wing.
You will love the Getaway and wings, can carry the whole family or you can handle it solo.
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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN
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Posted: Mar 18, 2013 - 06:04 PM
Our area lakes range from 26 to 18K acres. Most of the folks have power or houseboats. I'm simply concerned about getting the boat in the water at the launch which is usually crowded with redneck bass boat types or big power ski boats. There aren't that many sailboats out there. I would like to get the boat out of the marina without running it aground or broadsiding a party barge before I get the sail up...I probably need to get some sailing lessons before either killling myself or finding myself on some viral YouTube Video
doing something stupid.
I'm figuring until I figure out how to sail and make the boat go where I want, I might need the motor to get back to point A. Like I said, I spent every afternoon in Jamica on a small Cat either solo or with my wife....but it was basically leaving shore and coming back in a straight line.
My biggest fear is the first day out in the thing.
Edited by db51 on Mar 18, 2013 - 06:05 PM. -
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Posted: Mar 19, 2013 - 05:18 AM
You need to read about "Spirit 17".
http://www.thebeachcats.c…opic/topic/13621/start/0
the inaugural sail
http://www.bfsshop.com/ca…age=page&id=56&chapter=4
we all have had similar experiences, but TOW is the mother of all teachers, Time On Water, go out during the week when no-one else is around and sail. Or meet up with a local sailor and they will happily spend time with you. -
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Posted: Mar 19, 2013 - 06:28 AM
OMG...that was the most brilliant piece I've ever read. I know little about sailing, but I haven't laughed that hard since .... well, I'm not sure I've ever lauighed that hard. The launch and first sailing gave me pause. I can tell you right now I'm too old to survive that experience, and if my wife were with me during a a ride like that, there would be divorce papers filed if we made it back to shore alive. My greatest fear is what just happened in that story. I'm now almost convinced I need a motorized pontoon party boat instead of a Cat. That was some brilliant writing. Thanks for the entertainment.
Edited by db51 on Mar 19, 2013 - 06:30 AM. -
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Posted: Mar 19, 2013 - 07:03 AM
A couple of ideas:
First, see if there is a local Hobie fleet, find where they meet up and launch. Have fun
Second, forget all you know about boat launching, for a BEACH cat, all roads that end in or close to water are launches. Where we sail there are several areas where the camping area is next to the lake, drive the trailer down and launch the boat. There is no need to get the trailer bearings wet most of the time. The tow vehicle stays on dry solid land and the trailer tires get a little mud or sand on them. The nice part is if you spend the weekend the boat is at the campsite. And Have fun
Third, you are going to flip, no question, not if, but when. It will be fine, you will get wet, turn the boat back up and go again. Go with the son and/or grand children and learn before you take anyone that could be afraid. And Have fun.
Have fun (sounds familiar). Go out on mild days, NOT WINDY. People all the time say "I thought of you yesterday when it was windy" I say are you nuts it was blowing 30, I am not going out in that stuff. Go out on days that are 10 to 12 MPH. As you learn more go out in more wind. the getaway is a great boat, spent many days on one, they can take a pounding and are safe and easy to sail. Not much will bite you either.
HTH, Ricardo.
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Lake Perry KS
H-18
N-5.5 UNI +spin
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Posted: Mar 19, 2013 - 07:12 AM
they are fun too, but nothing can compare to harnessing the wind and not needing gas -
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Posted: Mar 19, 2013 - 08:36 AM
db1, check your Messages, top left hand corner, under the tabs, click on link to take you to your Private Messages.
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Posted: Mar 19, 2013 - 06:27 PM
Update on the Cat. I tentatively bought a new Getaway from a dealer in St. Louis. I talked to some really nice folks in Cincinnati but that is too far for me to go and I need a dealer for service close. St. Louis is only 90 miles west. The dealer offers sailing classes starting in April. Carlyle Lake is only 40 miles from me and that is where they conduct classes. It's a large and relatively shallow lake, alot of wind and choppy. Might as well learn there and everything else will be a piece of cake. Probably a great place to meet some other sailiing enthusiasts as well.
I'm getting pretty pumped up about getting started. Bagged the idea of a torqeedo motor. Guess the Cat moves along pretty well with a paddle.
Thanks to everyone for your encouragement and links. -
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Posted: Mar 19, 2013 - 07:09 PM
Just in case you haven't seen this -- manual, support page and Getaway rigging videos:
http://www.hobiecat.com/f…c3a9a518d67915891db73a49
and Getaway forum
http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=23
Congrats!
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Jack B
Hobie 17
BC, Canada
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Posted: Mar 19, 2013 - 07:39 PM
If the wind dies that just means its nap time until picks up again. I has nice couple 90 minute nap in the middle of a race a couple seasons ago. Then the wind got so heavy we couldn't even make it back to our starting point and had to beach it.
Edited by Quarath on Mar 19, 2013 - 07:40 PM.
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Dustin Finlinson • Magna, UT
Member: Utah Sailing Association
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Posted: Mar 20, 2013 - 05:28 AM
There is a Hobie fleet/club at Carlisle so they may know some people closer to your lakes also.
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Lake Perry KS
H-18
N-5.5 UNI +spin
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Posted: Mar 20, 2013 - 06:04 AM
Thanks Richard. Actuially Carlyle Lake is about the same distance as all the other sailing lakes in my area. I'm roiughly 40 miles from three lakes in all directions. Carlyle to the west, Shelbyville to the North, Rend Lake to the south. There are some small lakes within
15 minutes of me which would be great to learn on incliuding Olney and Omega. I have a sister-in-law at Carbondale where you have Crab Orchard where Southern Illinois University has a sailing club but that is 80 miles. I don't want to spend that much time on the road. Last year it was already 84 degrees here. This morning 29. -
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Posted: Mar 20, 2013 - 07:04 AM
congrats and welcome to the club -
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Posted: Mar 20, 2013 - 09:35 AM
For many years there was an active Hobie Fleet which held regattas at Carlyle. They used to come to the Memphis Fleets regatta at Arkabutla Lake (Broken Mast Regatta) and we traveled to their Muddy Waters Regatta.
Carlyle Sailing Association http://www.csa-sailing.org/ has an active multi-fleet club and the beachcats are now an open fleet and have a site
http://www.csa-sailing.or…s/hobie/new%20Hobie.html there is an email link there with names of contacts.
Good luck and be sure to report back the stories as they happen!
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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN
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Posted: Mar 20, 2013 - 11:33 AM
Ten bucks says db is flyin' a hull before the end of June!
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Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mississippi
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Posted: Mar 20, 2013 - 12:03 PM
Thanks for the warm welcome and information. This forum rocks. Just talked to the salesman in St. Louis and am meeting him on Saturday to complete the purchase for the boat. I'm taking my 8 y/o Grandson, his 4 y/o sister and my wife to check out the boat which they have set up and ready to go in the warehouse. The trailer is galvanized steel made by Load Rite. I checked out their website and it appears they have a solid reputation and great looking trailer.
They have 4 day sailing seminars starting in May. Because of the distance and farming season will be in full blown mode I'm going to pay the $ 125.00/hr fee to a private instructor at Carlyle on my boat.
I plan on flying a hull on the first lesson. lmao. Man Overboard
Edited by db51 on Mar 20, 2013 - 04:13 PM. -
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Posted: Mar 20, 2013 - 03:21 PM
i would recommend you have the dealer rig the boat with you, bring a camera, take notes, ask questions (at $0.00 /hr)
Edited by MN3 on Mar 20, 2013 - 03:21 PM. -
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Posted: Mar 20, 2013 - 04:14 PM
The dealer has agreed to rig the boat with me and to take as much time as necessary, but I won't be able to attend their in-house seminars. Thanks for the suggestion. -
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Posted: Mar 20, 2013 - 09:34 PM
Here is a link to the discussion between my wife and I regarding my buying the Hobie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-m8VOtaF3M
