I'm heading to the coast this weekend and will be able to sail a 17 and a Nacra 5.2(i think). I'm taking my 18 as well. I am starting to think that a righting pole for the 18 is a better place to start. My 18 jib is self-tacking so other than setting and dousing the spin I can stay at the back of the boat. I can no longer furl the jib but could remove it for heavier wind and run uni with spi. Maybe a righting pole like Rick sells on this site is the answer! That way I can have crew when available, I don't have to buy/sell anything. I just don't want to capsize it and not be able to right it. Pulling the boards prior to landing isn't a concern, mine are bungeed and will stay up in the well.

I guess the Fla cat sailors are a little more cautious, I've seen the Myrtle spin guys slide the boat into the dunes wide open. I don't do this but it isn't uncommon. I do like to lift the hull immediately after getting thru the surf. I think its kinda fun threading the needle thru the swimmer traffic on the way in. It really only gets hairy once the rudders have popped loose, hard to steer it.