It is! That's the GOOD part
I am 51 years old and weigh in at 150-160 lbs and find the boat to be a real pleasure. It is responsive and with one sheet and a hot stick, you can enjoy yourself more without a lot of line to tend to. Trapping out on the wing is a real scream with your head about 10 feet above the water. I can right it by myself using the "solo-upright system"- I could not do this with my 16. I do not have the jib and can hold my own against a 16. My good buddy Dan does. The jib helps when you want to tack in high winds and are reluctant to handle a "roll-tack" but I am happy without it. As of now I seem to have tacking down in all but the lightest air. (knock on wood)
I don't know how it compares price wise to a 16 - I think you need to just shop around, or have a buddy who is "upgrading" to a family mono-hull and who has a wife that will only allow that to happen IF he gets rid of the Hobie...
The self-tending dagger boards just fold right up, no problem. I try to stow them before I beach it, but it is not imperative.
I'm with fhopper on getting back on board the Getaway- even at my weight and size. The boat sits higher than most.
Reading the FX thread, I think THAT may be my next boat- in the meantime, happy sails!!