I personally think that for the skipper (and arguably tactician) positions of the YOUTH fleet race event, large-fleet cat racing experience (as a skipper) would rule the day.

While large-fleet experience in monohulls may be a good selling point (knowing how to jockey for position on the line, how to approach marks, etc.); several of the adult teams have shown just how difficult it is to tack and maneuver these boats like a dinghy.

Said another way, there's no substitute for experience in big fleets with fast straight-line, slow-maneuvering boats. And beach cats are the closest thing out there.

Mike