NewbieSailor,
Next weekend (May 7-8) is Fleet 2's Viento Fiesta Regatta. It is being held on Lake Commanche between Jackson and Stockton. You should come out and see the different boats in action. Here is the NOR:
http://home.usamedia.tv/~dfreeman/2005regattaflyer.pdf

Let me know if you are interested. If nothing else you can compare all the different Hobie's at once.

-Eric