Everything is relative indeed.

Upwind a boarded cat may go a little better on all other course the P18 makes an impression.

P18 I owned one for several years and even put a spinnaker to it (the last years I owned it)

I also own a Prindle 16 and have sailed the usual series of cats like H16 etc.

I love my prindle 16 but for a bigger crew (2 males) the P18 is better than the 16. Reaching it is a hoot. Broadreaching is goes very well too, just make sure you have barberhaulers for your jib.

The P18 is a bit heavy when compared to the P18 but is does have more ooompf. With respect to it being a lake boat or whatever or dangers for novice crews ? I don't buy that. I liked my own P16 alot as a beginner board but some young blokes with an invisibility additude that comes with that age I say P18 is just fine. Simple, rugged, blasting on reach. Under spi I could hang with the F18's. Reaching I passed them slowly. Upwind I lost height in relation and had to put up a fight to stay near. In general a good ship.

Wouter