The Getaway should fill the role of learning boat, no need for the TheMightyHobie18 then. The TheMightyHobie18 was my first cat and I sailed it solo many times, in whitecaps too, I would roll up the jib for upwind then deploy it downwind. A great fun boat and only cost me $750, with a trailer. After two years on it, I sold it for $2,500 after about $500 in repairs, most of that was to the trailer (new tires, wheel bearings, lights, etc) and bought a Nacra 5.5 SL w/spinnaker. Wish I still had it for my kids.