Jake,
What you are describing sounds sort of like the big hiking wings that were on some of the Worrell 1000 boats during the development class years. I think when the windward wing was down in position, the leeward wing was raised up so it would not drag in the water. But I don't know how the system worked.

I don't think they trapezed off those wings, just sat on them, because they extended way out there. Looked kind of comfy, actually.

Carl Roberts and others from that era could explain how they raised and lowered. When on the beach, both wings were raised, so they were out of the way.

It sure was fun looking at all the experimental boats back then in the late '80's. Too bad the development class was not continued for the Worrell -- it was great for the designer-engineer sailors and it made things much more interesting for spectators.