Everybody will say you're too big. Here's some first hand experience. I'm5' 11" 240lbs. I sail an 18 magnum, and a 17 sport. My youngest Son sails a turbo 14. Point being, my wife sailed with my son an I for years. Last year she announced she wanted a boat of her own to learn on. We looked at lasers, sunfish, picos and just about everything else. I finally found a Hobie Bravo and it seemed right. As I said I'm 240 and my wife is normal woman size. The bravo sails very well with both of us on board. I sit up front and she does all the sailing. (She really does not need me I'm just there for moral support) In my opinion the bravo is the perfect teaching tool. It handles weight well. Tacking is a lot better than you think it would be. The rotomolded hull is bullet proof. It is super easy to rig. I can stand on the edge of it without it turning over. My youngest son drives it hard! It has very good performance. But now for the best part. My wife has a low threshold for wind speed. Anything over 8 or 9 knots and she is done. Many times we have sailed way down the beach and the wind will begin to fill in. As soon as she starts to worry you just grab the line and partially furl the sail. Easy! Wife stays happy and safe. Did I mention it also has a cooler and cup holders. Anyway, as a big cat sailer I'm impressed. Hope this helps..
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