Boat search: J22 vs. Sonar 23

[large]

Can anyone help me weigh the pre's & cons of these two boats? I want a fun day sailor that I can easily single hand or day sail with my wife, myself & another couple. Yet want something fast so that I can do some fun Wednesday night club racing with 1-3 buds. I'd like to be under $10,000. Most boats at our club rate under PHRF 130 (30 foot + range) except for a couple of old J24's.

Our C&C 24 was fun & easy, but slow. The J 24's that I've sailed are faster, but too uncomfortable and no fun singlehanding.

I've narrowed my search down to Sonar or J22, but have never actually sailed either boat.

1) Any thoughts on comparing/contrasting the two?
2) Any other boats that I should be considering?

Thanks. One last thing, don't tell my wife that I'm looking for another boat...

[tommays]

The J22 is considered by many to be the one they got right

[Nitro]

I've sailed them both. IMO, the Sonar is a vastly superior boat. There's good reason so many yacht clubs chose it for team racing. It feels like a much bigger boat than it is. It is also much stiffer and handles beautifully (just don't pull the rudder over too hard). The cockpit is huge for daysailing. It's basically a Laser on steroids. Like the J/22, it can be sailed under main alone for a quick solo sail. The only down side to it is that because of all the 'pro's', it requires a bit more muscle in heavier air to sail than the J/22 but is more rewarding at all times.