That is/was the whole point to this thread. I think it depends on what level you are sailing at. At the local, club level, it probably isn't worth it.

But in big fleets, NAs and Worlds, I am now of the belief that it is worth it. I mean, for years people didn't raise a rudder going downwind. Now it is a given if you want to compete in A-fleet at the local level and above.

It's like Jeremy says, practice, practice, practice. It definitely ain't the equipment. When I first saw the technique I thought "they are going to wear out their cams so fast"! And they probably do.

But at the level of sailing we are talking about, $14/pair (per Hobie catalog) is a small price to pay!! In fact, this "rudder up" technique freed me! I used to replace cams every 5-10 years or when broken (usually the latter!!). Now I replace them every 2-3 years, and may start doing that sooner.

That is a whole new thread -- the way sailors, particularly Hobie sailors -- refuse to replace cams. Rudders have to be one of the most important systems on a catamaran, and they compromise that system significantly by refusing to replace a $14 part. Don't get me started!!