I've always thought that the Hobie-14 would make a good cat alternative to the Laser. If you look at the age classes for that boat, I think the 14 fits there. Perhaps for earliest age sailors, the Wave is more appropriate as it is more forgiving. A little later, the 14 should be used all the way through old age! First as a the normal uni and then with the added turbo jib and trap. A great step up to the speed and power of the 16 and others. The 16 obviously is a two person boat, so the 14 can fill an overlapping role as a singlehander. After having spent some time sailing a 14, I'm convinced that if you learn how to sail that boat effectively you've got a great basis for sailing any other cat. You get immediate feedback as to weight and sail trim, as well as tacking technique. But I'm not sure that it should be the first boat a young sailor climbs aboard, could be wrong...<br><br>Keith Chapman, Annapolis, Md.
<br>H-18
<br>Northstar 500 (monoslug)
<br>WRCRA - www.wrcra.org