thanks for all the response!

my location: I live in Pittsburgh and will be doing trailer sailing in lakes around here. But we'll spend quite a while in summer in Lake Ontario where I can leave the cat on the beach for a few weeks.

@Timbo: did you ever have to right it with your 6 yr old son? (or by yourself). I infer from your post that with the right technique I should be OK?
(I'm an expert at not capsizing since the Shearwater (all wood) could not be righted by sailing humans. But if I get a TheMightyHobie18 I'd love to sail near the edge which means we'll capsize sometimes.)

@Matt: Can you right the Prindle 18 (or the Nacra 5.7 for that matter) without an adult crew?

@eric: there are a few 5.2 available within driving distance here - thanks for the recommendation, will I be OK with 4 people (me+3 kids)?

Last point: has anybody knowledge of the G-cat 5.0: the double trampoline seems very attractive for nice day cruising with a bunch of kids or grand-parents...