OK, so here comes the bias.
You're new to sailing and there is a possibility that you might not get on with it so keeping the cost down reduces the risk.
Getting a highly technical boat with lots of gadgets when your learning how to sail is not such a great idea.
Having said that a "simple" boat like the Laser can be a real pain for newcomers as it can be quite tricky to sail and at £400 could be a costly mistake.
If you will want to race then you will need to buy a class that is sailed locally or you will have to travel to events as I do.
You want a boat that is simple, sails well and is easy to get from the car to the water.
The Micro Magic fits this bill as it can go in the car fully rigged which means no wasted time setting up and breaking down.
It also has a shortish keel which will allow you to sail on the pond as well as the loch.
Support is second to none with the 15 odd websites looking after the Class
On the water cost is around £200
Soling, Victoria, are quite a bit bigger but these are good starting yachts with a reasonable following especially in the states.
On the water cost is around £250
Multihulls are great fun but I'd suggest you start with a monohull to learn the ropes first.
Limited number off very passionate people but great fun if you can find them.
I'd steer clear of the IOM for now but this is likely to be the boat most people currently aspire to.
For a top boat with all the rigs you can spen in excess of £3000 and have to wait for 4 to 6 months for a hull!
Marblehead probably wont sail in your pond, or at least the modern ones won't as the keel depth is to long.
10r and A rater are also pretty specialised racing machines and will be a struggle in and out of a saloon car.
Another boat with great support and following is the Footy, which is great fun but possibly not best suited for a beginner on a Loch.
These are currently the fastest growing Class in the UK along with the Micro Magic which is the fastest growing Class in Europe.
The other classes like the Tactic, Fiesta, 36r have pockets of enthusiasts round the country.
If you happen to be near one of these then they could be a good bet but otherwise you could be all on your own.
You will need help and advice so pick a class where you can learn from others.
If your local pond has a number of sailors, what they sail should make the decision easier as they are far more likely to help if you sail the same class.
Hope this helps a little.
Pop along to
www.micromagic.info and click on info to find out more on the Micro Magic