Jody,

check out what Eric Precourt has to offer: http://www.precourt.ca/

I would prefer a system which was easy to adjust, so some kind of adjustment on the stays like erics would be an idea. Synthetic stays on beachcats are not well tested, and reports have been mixed.

Trapeze lines are well tried and a "no-brainer". Go for the same length, but look out for chafe. Spectra/Dynemaa 3mm is good enough in my experience.