My suggestion would be the Getaway over the 16 and the Wave. I race 16s, but have sailed all three of these models and the Getaway is the best family cat out there. It has plenty of room for the wife, kids, etc without getting bogged down - the wave is a little small for more than 2 or 3. It doesn't have the power of the 16, so no worries there - plus the main is boomless, so you don't have to worry about the kids getting hit in the head.