Owning and sailing both a Hobie 16 and a Melges 24 lets me see both sides.

In deference to present company, sailing a beach cat at speed is about the most exciting thing you can do on the water (with your pants on)

On the other hand

Wednesday night on the Melges we get out and race around the cans. With 4 or 5 guys on board there is a never ending stream of humor, bonehead errors,briliant saves, successes and failures. This is the high point of each summer week.

Hope this helps
Chet