So my better half and I are taking sailing lessons at a local school.  learning on the 420 dinghy.  The school's schedule is restrictive to the point that we only get about 90 min to 2 hours a week out on the water at a really tiny lake.  



Now the 420 is a fine race boat, we're looking for something similar to play around with -- sloop rigged, no trapeze/trapeze optional, can be crewed by 1-2 --and be a bit more comfortable (read: boom a bit higher so we dont have to duck as much on a tack or jibe) so we can practice while not at class.  We're not really looking to keep the boat for more than a year.



TL;DR



Buy, practice, get cert through US sailing, sell, move onto bigger boats.



Not looking to break the bank either.  



Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Thistle?  If your not planning on keeping it long, look at what one design fleets are popular in your local. Makes it a lot easier to sell when you move up.

The Thistle is a first rate boat, but a bit big.  They are very fast and pretty stable.  



I just bought a Coronado for family use.  Stable, big cockpit and pretty inexpensive.  Rolled cockpit edges are nice and comfortable.  Second choice would be a Vanguard 15 or something close to that.  



One thing to consider is a centerboard over a daggerboard can make like much less stressful, depending on there you sail.

boston whaler harpoon, if you can find one they're awesome little boats, plenty of space for day sailing, boom is high enough that you don't need to duck as low as with a 420.

Mcgregor 26? Seems like a cool idea.

no, just no, thats like telling someone the vegetarian omelet is a tasty MRE....

They are damn ugly, but some people swear by them.
 

Whatever is a good deal on your local craigslist.  It should be immediately water ready and have a complete sail inventory.



Do you have any long term goals?  Are you looking to daysail a dinghy or sporty boat later on?  Racing?  Liveaboard?