PTP-your last sentence regarding how high to fly the hull is what interests me. It seems that Gary's hull is high in most of the photos. Since he does well it leads me to think there is a wider groove for proper hull height off the wind. Yes?
Idealy maximum leverage is gained with the hull just skimming so I guess that should be fastest. In reality I probably fly a hull to high at times <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />, but I prefer to do that than have the hull touch down, which greatly increases drag, also if trying to get depth flying higher reduces leverage which allows you to sail deeper. It's realy about what feels fast and staying in control <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />, generaly I find it still seems to be fast to the point where the centreboard lifts out, that is too high <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />. So I think anywhere in between is cool <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />.
