Prindle 16 too much for a single handed newbie in the ocean

i live in st aug fl. seas can be 2-5 ft regularly.
we have inland water way but its narrow and crowded.

i have some sailing exp.
im looking at a Hobie 14 which i feel sure is too small for open water and a Prindle 16 that someone said was too much for one inexperienced person to handle in ocean.

i have only sailed in caribbean numerous times on flat water and im unsure what to buy for casual saling with kids????

any thoughts are appreciated.

Ok, saying it first...


Kids = absolute need for something stable = Wave. Test drives are good.

The Prindle is probably cheap, and probably for a lot of reasons.

Cheap initial purchase price doesn't mean it will be cheap to keep

Getting parts and keeping it on the water and safe might be a bit of a challenge.

The 14 probably doesn't have enough buoyancy in the hulls for you and the kids as they grow.

The suggestion of looking at a Wave is a good one.

It will cost you more money initially, but will require far fewer dollars in maintenance, and will retain its
resale value, and resale much easier if and when you outgrow it.

Look at the big picture, look beyond the initial purchase price and remember,
the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.

_________________
If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, maybe it is time to water your own lawn.

What about the hobie getaway?It's the best all round 16 footer ever made and is very easy to sail.
Tasmania's only getaway sailor.