Wow Bermuda. That would be a cool place to live. What kind of winds would you be sailing in?
Board sailors around here keep the cats for when the wind drops below 18 knots.
A cats are great boats. So are F18's and Inter 20's if you like crew. The H16 is a great boat to get started on and have some fun on.
People don't tend to race against Board sailors on cats around here. I've never seen a competition between the two.
Good luck in whatever you choose. Let me know if I can come and visit and give you some free lessons.

Mike Hill
www.stlouiscats.com