Hi Josh,
Why would a beginning sailor want to learn to sail on a boat that won't tack? When he tries to learn to tack and he gets in irons. The beginning sailor is going to think he is doing something wrong and become very frustrated. All the time the problem is poor boat design. When he turns over and the boat goes turtle, he is going to think he did something wrong and become very frustrated. All the time the problem was poor boat design. On a windy day and on a fast reach, he pitchpoles. Again he is going to think he did something wrong and probably become a little afraid of the boat. All the time the real problem was poor boat design. H14s and H16s are not good boats to learn to sail on. A Sunfish is a much better teacher. The Sunfish tacks and jibes quickly when you do it properly. The Sunfish turns over when you don't balance it properly so the learning sailor learns the importance of balance. The Sunfish doesn't pitchpole. When you turn a Sunfish over, it doesn't turn trutle and you can right it safely. After you learn to sail a Sunfish, then try the H14 or 16.
Bill
Bill