This may sound corny or hard to believe, but my first ever memory is of sailing on a cat. I was four and all I remember is hanging on for dear life to the hiking strap of a cat (later found it was a P16). Dad took my sister and I out with a friend, it must have been windy because I remember going reeeeeeeeallly fast, with spray flying and all. It is a good memory, for sure!

I actually learned to sail at age 13 on a little postage size lake on sunfishes and lasers. My dad knew how to hook me and signed me up for windsurfing lessons. I was then addicted to sailing and spent every minute I could on a boat. I could ride my bike to the local lake and sail a laser for half day for $1!! My dad was a sailor and soon bought a H16, I was 14 at the time. Once on the 16, I was addicted to speed. Dad then bought a TheMightyHobie18 when I was 15 and my first time ever driving, I was towing the 18 back from a day sail on Tomales Bay. We sailed the 18, had a laser for the local beer can races and I eventually spent more and more time windsurfing. I got a driver's license and windsurfed after school every chance I got. I windsurfed until college, then after grad school and a couple of years traveling, settled in windsurfing mecca.....The Gorge.
I married and wanted to get my wife sailing with me instead of watching me windsurf from the beach. I bought a 16 and pretty much gave up windsurfing. I had forgotten how much fun the mental aspect of sailing was! I then bought an 18 about 6 months later (just loved the 18 and my wife didn't like the mere thought of a pitchpole!).
I can't imagine not owning a cat, but will likely add a monohull in the near future to do some local cruising and trailer sailing. In the immediate future for me is kiteboarding.

Kip
Boise, ID
FX-One