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I grew up sailing in Midwest - learned the ropes on Intl. Optimist and then a wood Sabot.
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We share our sailing center. Our boat yard must have about 50 Sabots for use in the youth program, though only the one in the front used as a flower planter is wood. It seems like all the locals learned to sail on Sabots as kids at our sailing center.
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When I started sailing a Hobie 16, I thought that was it.
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When I took charge of CSULB's program I worked hard at getting us donated a small fleet of Hobie 18s. There is no doubt that the adrenaline junkies in the group LOVE those boats. The 18 was Hobie Alter's premier design for wave jumping - all catamarans can jump a wave, but the 18 is one of the few that will LAND afterwards - without a pitchpole, that is.
I remember hauling along on one of our 18s in a wind advisory, half out of control, just barely holding it together - and passing up all these fishermen in small powerboats struggling in the chop we were just flying over. Like this:
No doubt catamarans are a thrill ride, but you might as well go swimming, because that is how wet you are going to get!
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But my taste for classics led me to racing Thistle class. Love the Thistle.
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Sailboats are pretty regional. I don't think I've ever seen a Thistle in real life, though I know what they are. Our bay is full of Lidos, which look similar to a Thistle but smaller. I teach my beginners on the Catalina Capri 14.2, which you probably never see outside of the West Coast.
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I was actually looking for and considered a beautiful Cape Dory Typhoon, and then a well used Montgomery 17 prior to finding my 20' SeaCraft.
After recently finding my 21', I told my wife no more boats. But next one will be a Montgomery 17. 
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Typhoons are a wonderful classic. I like my boats to be a little sleeker than the Montgomery, but there is no doubt that boat has a lot of room below for a pocket cruiser.