Mike,

I've been sailing an TheMightyHobie18 for a little over a year now. Also, my first cat, and no previous sailing experience (other than as a passanger). It is a great boat when you have weight on board, which is how it sounds like you are going to be sailing. I love everything about it. The only downside (to me and with my level of experience, of course) is single handing in rougher seas, and the set up time and boat weight if you have to drag it up and down a soft beach, which is what I have to do. When taking it from trailer to beach, and beach to trailer it is a big hassle where I live. But these hassles can be reduced if you have the right equipment i.e. the right beach wheels, and a mast stepper etc. Overall, I love the boat, and it is a great boat to grow into.
Good luck