[capta]

I have always considered the Rhodes 19 to be the perfect beginner's day sailor. It is a stable boat with lots of cockpit space, yet easy to sail and dock with only one person. They are common and can be had at a good price and are pretty well bullet proof, so a few novice mistakes won't send her to the bottom, even if you do chip the gelcoat here and there.
I believe there are enough around that they might even have some class races now and then.