So I've read through all 99 pages of this forum 2 1/2 times now & still find something I missed on every page. I have a couple of questions about some things that might be blatantly obvious to someone with a little experience, but I've yet to lay my hands on a halyard, so to speak, so please forgive my ignorance. Before you ask, I do have a friend/co-worker who will teach me the basics of keeping the pointy side up once I find the right boat for me.

I expect the majority of my sailing will be solo on lakes, launching from ramps & such, so I've decided a furling jib would be a good idea. I've seen the Harken system & heard that Hobie also had one. Which do you guys recommend?

From what I've seen so far, it appears that the furling rig basically replaces the forestay? If so, does the top connect to the jib halyard? That's the only way I can figure getting any decent tension out of it... I understand that furling systems use a different cut on the jib, since there aren't any battens. I haven't done much looking around at the sail makers yet, but I've plenty of time before that's an issue. A while back someone posted photos of a furling jib laid over a standard H16 jib, but alas the pics no longer appear...

Second, for a solo righting setup. I'm 5'11" and 150lb's soaking wet. The posts I found most relevent were a few years old, so I'd like to get some current opinions on "Rick Whites power pole." Those of you who have used one, what did you think? Would it give me enough mechanical advantage to right a 16 alone? I like the idea of having it handy under the tramp a lot more than having to rig & fill a righting bag...

That's about it for now. I'm sure I'll have plenty more to ask once I've spent some time on the water if you guys still have enough patience to deal with me by then...