Doug: What I have been trying to say is that any boat is a good boat(and there are people saying the 16 is not a good boat) Learning to sail while having some fun and having someone to help you out is what is important. People often stop sailing when they have no one else to sail with no matter what boat they chose.
The largest class of cat in the country is by far the non-spin H16 and probably will be for quit a while. I think the spin boats are super cool and I will have one in time.
If you want to get better faster, sail in large fleets not by yourself with no benchmark to see how your doing and no one to tell stories with after.

If your in-Put In Bay, get a wave.
If your in N.Y or N.J- get a 16 or now a Tiger.
Where Jamie D is in Ohio has a nice group of 4.3's
The New England Area has a lot of Nacra's.
The South East seems to be F-18

In the areas mentioned people have stepped up and organized the sailing and are having success.