A few more ideas. I don't know if they are good or not.
- Try to get boots that have a strap at the top that holds the zipper up. I have had 2 pairs that did not and they tend to unzip on their own.
- To be able to confidently right the boat in all conditions, you will probably need a righting bag. I use the big bag with the 4 to 1 blocks to lift it. Most of the time I don't need it but sometimes I do.
- Consider finding a crew for your first sail just to give you some time to sort out the new boat.
- If the winds are fairly strong (around 15 kts) really consider two up. Maybe if TEH is uni you guys could pair up. But if you do this watch out, they don't take too kindly to that sort of thing in those parts, just ask Timbo and that fool he paired up with at last years F16/Acat. =)

I hope some of this helps.