What area of the US? The reason I ask is, maybe you can get out to a regatta and see many different types of cats, talk to some cat sailors with experience, and see what you like, maybe even get a quick ride on someone's cat and get out on the wire, so you can learn what that's all about.

Also, check out all the cat sailing videos on You Tube, you can learn a lot by watching those:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoajkqSDKAs&feature=related