Hobie Getaway Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The Getaway's hulls are symmetrically shaped and built from impact-resistant rotomolded polyethylene, a seamless construction method Hobie adopted across its Wave, Getaway, and Bravo series. Sailing World described the durable roto-molded hulls with built-in keels as capable of taking most any abuse, and the manufacturer notes that the material provides years' worth of family fun with no worry about impromptu raft-ups, beaching, or docking. At 17 feet long with a 10-inch draft rudder-up and a 25-foot mast, the boat is genuinely beachable, and its 29.5-inch bow height and 17.5-inch stern height give the crew a stable, low platform. The capsize screening ratio of 4.2 and sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 53.95 place it firmly in the light, lively dayboat camp rather than the cruising multihull world.

Rig and Handling

The Getaway runs a mainsail-driven fractional sloop rig with a roller-furling jib and 180 square feet of total area. Test sailors found the boat really moves and called it a kick to sail, fast sailing at its simplest. A nice upwind groove rewards any sailor of intermediate skill or above, and the wings let driver and crew swap positions while underway without drama. Period reviews noted that a wave slapping under the forward leeward trampoline could slow the boat, but she gets back on pace quickly. The jib sheet tail can fall all the way down below the mast on the forward beam, a small quirk of the layout. Righting after a capsize is straightforward: lean back on the righting lines that lead under the tramp, and an anti-turtle ball at the top of the rig stops a flip from becoming a full turtle—reviewers watched it hit the water and halt the rotation very well.

Accommodations and Deck Layout

This is not a cabin boat but a day sailor, with cooler and storage compartments set into both hulls and an open trampoline forward. The manufacturer lists a US crew capacity of one to six and a 1,000-pound load limit, trimmed to 661 pounds and three to four crew under EU ratings. Sailing World measured a 900-pound carrying capacity and called the boat loaded with sensible features. The optional wing seats extend the usable lounging and crew space, and the boat can be bought without the optional trapeze for those who want simpler sailing. Windsurfer-style foot straps on the wing were suggested by testers to keep crew from flying around the headstay in a sudden deceleration, and hiking straps on each hull where crew sit were another recommended addition.

Known Issues

The Getaway's speed can bite: testers buried the leeward hull up to the forward beam and tumbled into a three-quarter pitchpole, a real capsize risk if the boat is pressed hard in breeze. The wave-slap slowdown under the tramp is minor but worth knowing. Otherwise the rotomolded hulls shrug off groundings and dock contacts that would scar a fiberglass layup.

Refits and Ownership

Owners and reviewers proposed a few light-touch upgrades rather than rebuilds. Adding a couple more purchases to the cunningham gives better luff control, and leading the jib sheets to the windward side—shock-corded off to the wings or attached to the trapeze wires—keeps the cockpit cleaner. The beauty of the boat is in its simplicity, and Sailing World found it a great family day sailor or local club racer that is fairly versatile for all skill levels.

The Verdict

The Hobie Getaway is a quick, stable, and nearly indestructible little cat that punches above its length for fun. It is best suited to lake and beach day sailing and informal club racing rather than any offshore ambition.

Pros

Impact-resistant rotomolded polyethylene hulls with built-in keels take abuse and beach easily
Mainsail-driven rig with roller-furling jib is fast yet friendly for intermediate sailors
Anti-turtle ball and under-tramp righting lines make capsize recovery simple
Wing layout allows crew swaps underway and adds real deck space

Cons