Hey SuperNubie

There is some good advice above. LISTEN to what they say. I was in your same pedicament not more than a month ago. I wanted a cat I could sail with 4 people (me, my wife, and two young daughters). I had absolutely NO sailing experience, and unlike you, I did not know the difference between bow and stern ( I still get them confused ). We got a Hobie 18 without having tried anything else. I figured It's bigger, it floats more, I can get more people on it, and I can race it eventually when I get better on it. Well, the first time we went out one of my daughters took a slap of salt water in her face, and cried all the way back to shore. she doesnt like to sail anymore. With her went my wife, who has to watch her on shore (because she is too young to be left alone). So now I am sailing my Hobie mostly solo, and let me tell you, it is a handfull!! and when I am sailing (by myself) instead of really pushing it (like you think you are going to be doing right away when you buy it) I am always a little worried that I am going to flip it. and not because I have a problem with flipping over or anything, but because I know there is no F..ing way that I can get that thing Back up on my own if I do. Anyway... after eating it on the beach, and trying to dodge lunatics on jet-skis in the bay, I finally found a quiet, little lake near our house (with really flat water, which is a welcome thing when you are learning) where I can calmly learn to sail my cat. There are a lot of things to learn. Especially if you have never sailed before.

Good Luck, and Good sailing!!