I also learned to sail on the hobie 18 about three years ago. I had never been on a sailboat before. I took it out first in gusty 10-15 had a blast and I was hooked. I left all the extra adjustments alone on the 18 until I was comfortable sailing, but now I really appreciate them. If you see a good deal on a TheMightyHobie18 closer than Tennasee I would check it out.

Oh yeah my record for rigging is 30 min. (stepping mast, installin rudders, in water, etc.)