Is the Johnson 18 a good boat for first-time sailors?
Yes and No. It is stable enough to walk around on, and has no bad habits like getting caught in irons or broaching. The Johnson 18’s responsiveness give instant feedback for quick learning of sail trim, and the acceleration and overall perfomance make learning fun. On the other hand, a beginner who is not interested in performance, doesn’t want to get wet, and insists on bringing a picnic basket and/or cooler, should get a heavier, slower boat and learn to cope with getting caught in irons.
