Two Things. Two of my opinions.
I don't much care how stable etc a cat is, if it is easy to right. Unstable and unrightable is zero fun, however fast. Easy to right, fast and unstable is considered a hoot.(Think of windsurfing, H16 in a blow...)
If I think about racing, with portsmouth, I often wound up against the same people. The boats changed, we got better at sailing, sometimes they had crew, sometimes not, but I still wound up racing against the same faces, seldom the same boat setup or weight, which makes me think that the whole business of class rules is a bit silly. I want to be able to fiddle with the boat, try and make up for my weight, and not give a damn about rules on my leisure time, handle the boat with ease, find a face to beat,have enough faces show up to make it a race,and social, and be cheap. So this 14 thing sounds good with unlimited sail area.
What do other regular Joes think?