[quote=Wolfman]Daggerboards aren't a problem except that because the poke out the top of the hulls they take up room where you could sit. The real problem with daggerboards are where there are shoals. If you hit something with a daggerboard it will push into your hull and cause serious damage.
Centreboards are better because they rotate up into the hulls when they hit something. Less possibility of damage, but they still take up room on the hull.
The Prindle 18 is one of the few 18 foot catamarans that doesn't have either types of boards! So it is ideal for shallow water and there is lots of room for people to sit. That is one of the reasons it is the only boat I would recommend to you in addition to the Hobie Getaway. It also has a lot of buoyancy compared to other catamarans so it can handle 4 people on board.
If you find that the Prindle you look at has daggerboards then it is an 18-2 and probably wouldn't suit you. That boat is a rocketship and would likely be too much to handle.
There are aftermarket wings for a Hobie 16, but they are relatively rare. More likely it is an H18 or H17.
The P18 is a 'little' less comfortable than a getaway. Sitting on the hulls with your feet straight in front of you is a bit less confortable than the wing seats, that you can sit on or use as a backrest (on the Getaway anyway).
An H18 will likely be more work than you would want with 2 kids due to the boards. It's a really nice boat but not an ideal family cruiser.
I like the P18 for that price if it is in good shape. The wing seats aren't a huge plus, just a nice thing to have for extra comfort and space. I would be really reluctant to get a boat with boards like the H18 judging from your description of the area. The Getaway is a great choice for a cruiser but it is definitely slower than most other catamarans. You can still get more speed out of it compared to your Laser and Albacore though (probably more comparable to a Laser 2 actually).
Another thing to check out is this guide: [url]http://www.sailingproshop.com/catamaran_guide.aspx[/url] it describes and compares a lot of catamarans that you will commonly find used. It doesn't go through the newer boats like the Getaway or Wave.[/quote]
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