I bought a 304CZ as my first sailplane, 4 months after I got my
license, flying only fleet aircraft at the commercial gliderport in
between (mostly 1-26s and 1-35s). A lot of thinking and research went
into that purchase and even though I no longer fly a 304CZ, I still
believe it was the perfect first sailplane. It assembles easily (though
mine required pin polishing first), handles wonderfully, and the
trailing-edge dive brakes made landing in tight places deceptively
easy.

I have no stake in your buying one (I upgraded to a Ventus 2C recently
after putting ~300 hours in the 304CZ) -- but it is a great glider for
the money and I highly recommend it as a first glass ship. You're not
nuts at all.

-ted/2NO