I also put the boat dead downwind with an eased main to pull the kite. Once up I trim the main and don't touch untill I drop the kite again. I find retrieving more difficult (boats starts to head up) then hoisting.

While going downwind I don't bother pulling the daggerboards up (but haven't raced in more then force 4).

I was used to double handed sailing and was steering to low in the beginning. Without a jib you can point a couple of degrees higher.

As Simon said, your weight is very important. 1 step to the front can make the boat lift and accelerate. Certainly downwind when you automatically have speed I had to think about it. Upwind it is more obvious to me.

What other boats will be out there?

Gill