Kirt,

You are right. It is no good knocking something before it has been trully tried.

I do remember your slides, indeed. My post about the quick rigging was more intended for the new sailors and the sailors looking to go to a kite than as a (negative) comment on your system. I'm sorry if it came a cross like that. I also assumed you take of the boat of your trailer putting it on it dolly and rest the sterns on their foam protection blocks. Like this setting up the spi whould be easy enoug. I didn't realize you put the boat in the water straight of the road trailer.

Also I agree their is windage upwind it would be illogical any other way. On the other hand I agree with Gary that campared to the overall windage of the hulls (!), induce drag of the sails and the person sailing the boat the snuffer can never a huge drawback with respect to windage. It is definately a (noticable) factor but limited just the same. I wonder myself wether just accepting this and get focussed on sailing fast isn't the better way to gain speed. Having said this your system appears to offer a win-win situation. Especially when ease of rigging and "get quickly out on the water fast" is a major concern. The spi pole is indeed more complex than your system.

Besides anything to get on the water and go quickly right ?

Please continue, I find the experiences you gain to be very entligting. Especially about backwinding the main. This sor of takes care of the idea of jibing poles! Another thing we can now leave open in the rules as now quick gain can be made there.

Thank you for keeping us informed.

Wouter