ditto coastrat... will you keep the boat mast up or have to trailer all the time... with or without help?
All the boats are great and you'll like them. speed is relative... relative to what everyone else is sailing... if you're the only cat on the water you'll be fastest... if you have a hobie 16 and everyone else has nacra 20s... you'll hate life.
For best combo of price/durability/fun/performance/comfort I'd second the Hobie 18 with wings. It's rugged, comfy with wings... fast enough for street cred at a race, not prone to pitchpoling... you can solo it... or take 3 folks out... doesn't break the bank. moving on the beach is easy... I weigh 160 and don't have an issue w/the 400lb boat, and it's all about balance and leverage my friend.
Edited by robpatt on May 02, 2012 - 11:28 AM.