The 14 would be a good trainer, but the Wave is easier to sail. Not much racing available in either.
Matt,
What in the world are you talking about? The Waves now are going into their 8th Nationals, just finished their 7th NA in Pensacola, have now developed an East Coast, North Coast, South Coast and West Coast Championship, have a National Championship Series, held a World Championship and plan on doing the same next Fall (only we are not able to call it a Worlds, for some crazy reason) and at all major regattas have trophies for Open, Women, Masters and Youth.
If that is not much racing, I am aghast. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
The Wave Class has been the most active at all regattas in Florida for several years now. Definitely the largest Hobie Class of any.
The Waves also have an active website and Forum for discussions.
The beauty of the Wave is it is now the only pure one-design class in the USA -- all the boats are the same speed and there is nothing you can do to make yours faster than your buddy's.
Fat folks, young folks, old folks, skinny folks.., makes no difference. You win by doing the basics.., good starts, good tacks, watch for wind shifts, good mark roundings, good tactics and finishing at the favored end of the line.
At the NAs in Pensacola there were at least 6 different sailors that took a bullet,
me at 68 and 220 lbs
Zach Grant at 13 and 80 lbs
Mary Wells at 63 and 115
Charlie Trinque at 24 and 180
Stan Woodruff at 70 and 180
This is such a great racing class that I am selling all my high-tech, F-this and that class boats and sticking with the Wave.., never had so much fun sailing in my life.
Rick