My wife fell in love with the Captiva. She found that the color-matching Autosail system made sail trimming easy and she felt she could sail without any coaching from me. Another feature that makes the Escapes suitable for beginners is their stability. These little boats are as stiff as churches. There is a performance price to pay for this stability, but it's a worthwhile compromise when you sail in 49-degree water.
Stability also plays a huge role in developing confidence quickly in a beginner.
The Escape line now includes several new models. My new Escape is the bigger Rumba. I keep it near the office and use it to tour the marina. The roll-up mainsail system makes getting under way a snap and also allows for effortless reefing. The Rumba is big enough for two adults to sail comfortably.