[quote=bacho]I would go with the Hobie 18. I started on one and it took me a few years away from it to realize how good that boat was. Its easy to handle and sail, very comfortable with wings. Its not going to depreciate significantly, parts are plentiful and cheap. Its easy enough to solo, but it will also take your wife and another couple for a sail if you like. It's got enough power to have fun and fly a hull, but it's not so overpowered that you can have fun on it in 25kts of wind. It doesn't pitch too easily. I hear you on the looks, but don't count it out too quickly. I would buy it and figure how much you and your wife actually like sailing, and then buy a dedicated solo or crewed boat.
All of the other boats mentioned will have harder to find parts, and will also likely have more expensive parts.
I haven't seen an i18 or a Nacra f18 that I thought was reasonably priced, buying parts for these can be a real PITA.[/quote]
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