Mary, I wouldn't tell a 120lb women or a 220lb guy (novice) to go out single handing on any boat(wave included) with out someone knowing they are out there. That's the be safe part. Conditions play a big part of course.
I just don't want her or any other girls out there to get discouraged into thinking they can't sail because of what they weigh.
I will admit that the wave is by far the safer boat, but that could also have a breakdown.
I have went out single handing on one of those days when you can't flip, and flipped. The only way to right the boat was to get help from a power boat. Things happen
Advice from a solo sailor:
If you have a dock and a ramp which, allow you to use your automobile to move the boat in and out of the water then I suggest something like a Prindle 16.
If you plan to roll the boat, by yourself, up and down a shoreline then you really need to start looking for something that is much lighter in weight. (seaspray 15?)
Find a SoloRight and don't sail without it.
3 - Another point towards the 4.3. Although it is lighter than a Hobie 14 it has more hull volume than a Hobie 16. It will, of the small beginner boats mentioned, do the best at transitioning from 1 person to 2 person and back.
It is a boomless rig like the Hobie Wave. It has a metal runner on the bottom of the hull so that it can take a lot of beach dragging "abuse".
You can start out singlehanding it with just the main like a wave. You can then move up to sailing it as a sloop (jib and main). You can sail it main and chute. And finally you can single-hand it with all 3 sails, that's what I usually do.
And if one of us 4.3 guys shows you how, you can learn to safely step the mast and pin the forestay single handed with the help of the spinnaker halyard...
Jamie
That would get irritating fast.
Sunny,
You're price of $2K for boat and $2K for "supporting equipment" and then money in the bank for upgrades has just busted this wide open for about 50 more posts and lord knows how many other different boats.
Since you have access to people who can get you started, to show you the "techniques", buy a boat that YOU are excited about. All choices are going to involve a learning curve and you'll end up making mistakes (hopefully not too costly) and learning from them. If you buy the boat someone else is saying is "best" for you, and you have reservations...well, we know what will happen. I'm so glad I did not by that Laser and opted to learn how to sail on the H16 years ago. In about 2 months the Laser would have been too slow.
Look at some portsmith ratings of suggested boats in your price range, ones that sparks YOUR interest, and go for it!
Wendy:
I think you would get tired of a Wave fast. Look at the 4.3. See if you can find a Nacra 4.5 to try. Look at as many boats as you can. Hobie 17 is a good single racing boat and I take three adults and a 12 yr old on mine all the time. I would try as many different boats as you can. Go to some of the the regattas mentioned and see if you can get rides. This will also show you what is popular in you area and what you would be sailing against. BUT most of all just have fun and get a broad look at a lot of boats.
Doug Snell
Hobie 17
www.tcdyc.com
You're price of $2K for boat and $2K for "supporting equipment" and then money in the bank for upgrades has just busted this wide open for about 50 more posts and lord knows how many other different boats.
Should I have kept that information to myself? Great, now every boat I look at will be $4,000 for everything.
I expect to be ready to purchase something in May but I will shop around for as long as it takes.
Sunny: Check out HCA under womens sailing. You should at least be aware this is out there.
All womens teams racing
Wendy:
Go here http://www.hca-na.org/ and click on training and download the Hobie University pdf. It has some good stuff in it and it is free.
Doug
As mentioned in the first response to this question and echoed throughout this thread...
Go meet with people in your area, ask for a ride and try it out. Cat sailors are very freindly people who will go on ad nauseum about thier boats and thier sport (I know I do). We all have our biases and most of us have not met or sailed with you can cannot give you the best advice.
If you are willing to wait until you find a good fit, take the time to sail with people. Like these guys have said, they are always looking for good, lightweight crew. I'm sure there is someone in your area that will be happy to train you and show you the ropes.
Again, just get on the water and try a few boats out before you buy.
I don't want to add further confusion...but the idea toward a Mystere 4.3 has some merit. There is one or two around in the area and it is a boat that can be as simple as you like or as complicated. Alex, Mystere 4.3 sailor from Atlanta - GA, is sometimes looking for crew.
Still, though, the advice to sail on few different boats has some merit although you'll likely have to look past a few personalities.
You started a pretty hot topic here!
Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner! Lol.
Yes, that price range includes just about any suitiable cat (used). And I'll join in the fray with another one to consider again. If you want light (170lbs all up), well balanced (trimmable to a neutral helm), easy to rig and right singlehanded (comes stock with a righting bar), and fast (base DPN underrated at 80 1up sloop vs the Wave with DPN 92), then take a look at the Cheshire.
When are the tickets going on sale?
All womens teams racing
Sometime in February I did talk with a woman who sent me the hobie university's pdf file. I wish I could remember her name. She sailed on a boat called the 'Butt boat' (That name I can't forget)
It was good stuff but until I got to see it being used a time or two I did not have a point of reference.
I got to sail with Jake and David on the I20 the Friday before MidWinters. (yes, all three of us. Thanks again Jake) It actually was really helpful to see what it was supposed to look like instead of just following directions and trying to imagine what to do. I paid attention to the shape of the sails and the sequence of events when coming around.
It was actually listening to Kirk on the committee boat, though, that made what I read about racing make sense. Kirk would talk about the strategy he saw the sailors using at the start, rounding the marks and using one side of the course as opposed to the other. Reading it and seeing something while it is being explained is a much different thing.
Here's a plan:
Gulfport Yacht Club (St. Petersburg/Tampa area) will host an A Class and F16 regatta this weekend, April 1&2, 2006. Why don't you jump on a cheap flight down here and hang out and learn about A's and F16s. You'll probably get some sailing time in as well. We have some excellent women skippers here. Jennifer Lindsey could tell you about handling either boat, on the water and on the beach. Ali Mims does a fine job soloing a H16 in Dunedin's non-race culture (day sailing, camping, drag racing, beer).
While you're here I've located a very nice Mystere 4.3 for sale. It has a snuffed spinnaker, trailer and cat trax, asking $3k (negotiable). You could look at this wonderful boat and talk to some very experienced M4.3 folks here who could show you how to make it sing.
If you're interested I bet someone would put you up at their home for the weekend. The weather will be 85 and "sunny". Do a Priceline or Hotwire search for cheap tickets and follow your heart, follow the boats. 
I'm driving up Saturday morning, just to meet people and look at boats.
I'd be happy to pick you up at the airport, you could meet my wife and me. We'll buy lunch.
The Hobie 16 is a great starter boat. My daughter started sailing one when she was twelve. Get a righting pole and there's a good chance you'll be able to get it up by yourself. But, even then, always make sure someone else is on the water when you sail. They can always sail back to you, jump off their boat and help you get it up. We sail solo a lot at our beach club. www.wnycatamaran.org
Wyatt
Ya know,
no one can ever say the people who contribute to this forum aren't helpful.
Not that I don't love my boat I wish I had searched out a little more info before buying it. I only started looking at this forum after.
Pete,
Aren't you sailing your new boat at this event ?
If not then contact Hanss Geissler; he is offering the use of a G-cat F16 for the event to a crew who can be trusted with the boat. You could give that a try and compete in the racing, maybe with your wife or sunny as crew.
Wouter
Wouter; My boat won't be ready and I'm not willing to take responsibily for a borrowed boat without some experience.
Besides, my performance would be so lousey Hans wouldn't want me anyway! 
Gulfport Yacht Club (St. Petersburg/Tampa area) will host an A Class and F16 regatta this weekend, April 1&2, 2006. Why don't you jump on a cheap flight down here and hang out and learn about A's and F16s. You'll probably get some sailing time in as well. We have some excellent women skippers here. Jennifer Lindsey could tell you about handling either boat, on the water and on the beach. Ali Mims does a fine job soloing a H16 in Dunedin's non-race culture (day sailing, camping, drag racing, beer).
While you're here I've located a very nice Mystere 4.3 for sale. It has a snuffed spinnaker, trailer and cat trax, asking $3k (negotiable). You could look at this wonderful boat and talk to some very experienced M4.3 folks here who could show you how to make it sing.
If you're interested I bet someone would put you up at their home for the weekend. The weather will be 85 and "sunny". Do a Priceline or Hotwire search for cheap tickets and follow your heart, follow the boats.
Wow,
That sounds great. So far the 4.3 sounds most interesting to me. Everyone is so helpful. This is too short of notice for me to hop down there though. I have my sons this weekend.
Last weekend was pretty chilly in Pensacola. The weather sounds like it will be perfect. Sunny and warm. Something else I learned at a regatta is that my name is confusing. My name is Wendy. Sunny is a nickname my family calls me. You would be amazed how many times somebody said 'Sunny' or 'Windy'. I about snapped my head off thinking people were speaking to me.
The 4.3 is a nice boat. That would be a good alternative to the Wave. I'm still concerned about your ability to right the 4.3. If you do buy one I would recommend a Hobie Bob masthead float be attached because you plan to single hand the boat. This will keep the boat from Turtling and also help you be able to right the boat easier.
I would totally recommend the H16 except for the fact that you plan to single hand the boat. If you planned on taking someone with you the H16 would be a great choice.
If you want a 4.3 I know of a couple of them locally that are for sale. PM me if you want contact info.
Mike Hill
www.stlouiscats.com
Is Spring Fever too short notice? There should be some Mystere 4.3s there (and Hobie 16s, and maybe a H14 Turbo or a Wave). I bet you could even hitch a ride to/from the event.
If Spring Fever were not Easter weekend it would be no problem at all. I am having Easter dinner at my house this year for my family. So I will have to pass this year. (It is killing me. I really want to go)
I have never seen a Mystere 4.3 other than a picture.
Just got a PM request to look at this thread since I owned a 4.3 for a while.
I loved the boat - very durable and fun to sail. I've raced it one and two-up with no trouble. I weigh about 135 and could right the boat alone easily unless the breeze was really light. I carried a righting bag (Glad yard trash bag) folded up in the tramp pocket just in case. I have some pics and a description on my website (click here).
The first Nationals last year was really fun and low intensity - everyone is very helpful. I sold my boat with the intention of buying a new one, but during that time, Mystere International went through some major changes, and it seems my boat was never completed. As a result, I have moved on to another class.
Still miss my little boat, though - I think it is well used and appreciated by the new owner in Mississippi. I sailed a lot on that thing and never had a spot of trouble but once when I lost a shroud in Clearwater. I went to the next diameter up and never had another issue.
Great boat for any level sailor, really. Fun single-hand spin, spray-flyin' boat or lazy cruiser while talking with the wife. 
John,
Thanks for the sight. I love how versatile the boat seems to be. Since you are about the same weight what do you think about an H16?
Wendy:
The current trend in cat is going to the spinnaker boats. I just don't think you would be happy with a 16. Don't get me wrong it is a good boat, but get newer technology. I think you should seriously look at the 4.3, especially since John was very close to your weight and had no problem. I would add a righting pole from Rick White.
Doug Snell
Hobie 17
www.tcdyc.com
Doug, I tend to agree. I like that the Mystere has all three sails. I could start out with just the main to learn the basics and then add the jib and finally the spinnaker.
I just thought I would get his perspective on the H16. I have gotten more information than I ever hoped for with this post. I appreciate it so much!
Hi Sunny -
I'll likely get jumped for this, but I think the only reason to own a 16 is if you're into single-manufacturer one design racing... or if you get one for free. I have raced the 16 and I've had a lot of fun fiddling around with them, but I'm unlikely to ever go back to a boat that doesn't have a spinnaker. No disrespect intended to the 16 crowd (and it is a big crowd... a big, drunk, happy crowd 
).
A 16 is definitely a two-person boat and one that I have found is more likely to flip.
Someone else made the suggestion that you look around your area and see what others are sailing - that's good advice, even if you're not racing. If it is a total mish mash (like it was for me), you won't likely regret getting a 4.3 even if nobody else has one. I was the only 4.3 for a couple of hundred miles around, but I still had a lot of fun at open events.
Whatever you decide, keep us up to date and take pictures. Good luck.
John:
You are getting my interest. Do you know of any used 4.3 in Texas?
Doug Snell
Hobie 17
dsnell4 at houston dot rr dot com