wrote...
Hey all. My wife and i are considering getting something to sail in
one of the local lakes around here. We have been looking at the Hobie
16,17 and the Hunter 170 as alternatives. My major concern is
performance in light winds, as winds on the tennessee river system are
sporadic during the summer months at best. I dont think we will do any
racing, but we might take a couple of kids or adults and a cooler along
with us. My wife is partial to the "closed" look/feel of the monohull
and i like the open trampoline feel of the cat. We are intermediate
sailers of large (40ft) monohulls. Neither of us has sailed anthing
this small. Anyone have any opinions to share with us?

Choices are too personal given those [non]limits. You'll have to sail a few and
decide for herself...