I bought a Hobie 18 last Labor day. It's my first boat, that I have owned, and is great fun to sail. I like the simplicity of it (my fiance' and I can rig it in 25 min.) and it is almost indestructable.
There are a lot of boats out there that will out perform it, but when I see everyone else at the regattas stressing out about pebbles on the beach and getting carpet or PVC H's laid out so they can launch a boat I just smile. The tank-like construction is heavy, but I frequently fly a hull with myself and two adult women(cool) and I have yet to be sent in due to high winds.
I would like to have a Hobie 14 beater, AND a Taipan, but for now I am pretty happy with the ol' Hobie 18. Great boat for a first time buyer, and at least out West, there is a pretty good class going.