Jerry,

>>If there's an easier way to get out singlehanded with better control, I'd appreciate learning from you!

Do you have a cleat on your mainsheetblock ? I find it a great help to point a little to high then cleat the sheet to the right setting of a lower course. Than move he sheet to my aft hand with which I also hold the tiller. Than I use my fore arm and rear leg to get out while letting both the tiller and sheet slide gently through my hand. Sometime I tuck my rear hand next to my body before getting out and extend it while getting out. This often gives good control. Right after or during getting out I point a little lower and thus powerup the craft to keep me off the water. I have to do it without a cleat on the 49-er I skipper now and then but this is alot more difficult as the smallest variation in sheeting cause the boat to rock from side the side.


>>>Finally, I thought your comments ... were very lucid, balanced, and well stated. I want to compliment you on the excellent job you did ... formulating an exciting new class ... complimentary other existing classes.

Thank you very much for your complements Jerry. It was what we were aiming for; And I say "we" as Kirt Simmons (USA) and Phillip Brander (Aus) were part of it right from the start. Their contributions were invaluable ; I often stand in the lime light as chairman but as Newton said "... it was because I was standing on the shoulders of giants"

Wouter