On the other hand, they are really hard to kill! I love mine, the flexibility to race, to sail solo or to put 4 or 6 kids on it is great. I never have to worry that my guests will crush or break anything. It is extremely predictable- I have never gone over in 4 years, and it runs like a frieght train in a good wind.
The only design issue is the dagger boards, and that is just not a big deal if you keep an eye on them and simply remember not too sail onto the beach with them extended. The Hobie 18 is also cheap and plentifull these days, at least out here on the Left coast. It's the most popular boat in our fleet! We usually pull a few boats over and let the kids use them as dive platforms while waiting for the wind!