Here in the UK , I bought a H16 1984 model straight off ebay, it was a compulsive purchase.
The misses put it down to the fact that I was going through my mid life crisis, this as daft as sounded was probably true.
But like you I had never sailed before.
I read some books and watched all the youtube videos I could find and one day I thought just go for it.
It turned out my biggest fear was the fear of embarrassment.
It was a glorious sunny day and the beach was packed with sun sunbathers and lager lauts who started to take, a little too much interest and what with taking in to consideration I had never rigged this or any other sail powered boat before, it became a rather self-aware exercise!
Well after a bit, she was ready to go, so my brother and myself thought what the heck and went for it.
Unbeknown to me it turned out our first outing was in a ~15+ mph sea breeze.
I was shocked by the power of the boat, she went off like a rocket, I never forgot the look on my brothers face and the profanity of his words!
It was sheer exhilaration!
The boat was and is a dream to sail we made it back to shore in one piece and high on adrenalin with the added bonus from our wives that we actually look *cool* haha!
Just remember to put safety first (obvious stuff) and when under way and if the boat picks up and runs away a little to much for your liking let out the main, if in doubt let it out!
Happy sailing!