Interested in Learning, Don't know where to start

[tkeithlu]

I can't think of skills other than stability and docking that would not transfer. Cats have a lot more internal space and lighter rig than monohulls of similar size, so you can buy a smaller boat and meet your needs. They are fast and shallow draft. But, the larger ones don't fit narrow slips, and their ultimate stability (righting after a knock-down) is a problem - they float just as well or better upside down as right side up. Leaving the mainsail cleated while close hauled in a strong wind and then coming about on a cat is dangerous. You'll find that the larger and more recent designs have hatches in their bottoms for this reason. The vast majority of serious cruisers are on monohulls.