Well, I don't have an "informed" opinion to offer here, but I just got back from a week on Cape Fear where I got my feet (and other stuff) wet again on my new-to-me Prindle 18.

The boat had clearly sat for ages and ages, so I spent a good bit of time ironing out the rigging and replacing all lines. The weather cooperated, though. The first day out it was blowing 5-7, and the angle of the beach there such that the surf was a piece of cake.

By the last day it was blowing 10-12, and there were 2-3' seas, but, even solo, I had a permanent grin. I had to give up when it kept blowing harder. Wow, I waited years longer than I should have.

I don't know if you're still reading this thread, but I owned a P16 25 years ago; the 18 was a bigger pain to rig, so I can see where the 18 Escape would be attractive to a lot of folks. The extra sail area on the 18 made me a little nervous in the higher wind. The nervousness will be supplanted by excitement with a little more time on the water. The other issues can be corrected: catrax, righting bag, mast buddy.

I got the 18 thinking the GF would be out with me, but now I think I'll be soloing a good bit more...and we didn't even capsize once! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />