Sorry, Wouter, but I am a hard-core one-design racer, and it doesn't matter a whit to me how fast or slow the boats go as long as all the boats go approximately the same speed. Those Hobie 17 Sport sailors in Dubai apparently have not noticed that their boats are half sunk, because they are having too much fun racing.

You are absolutely right that people usually try to convince a new sailor to get the type of boat that they themselves sail and do not consider the needs of the sailor and the conditions where he is going to be sailing.

Personally, I don't care what kind of boat he gets, but my recommendation would be a Dragon. It's one of my favorite boats, and it is designed for the waters in his part of the world. I sure as heck know I wouldn't be sailing a beach cat up there.