What I find amazing is how much of knowhow I've lost in the three years I've been away from sailing. These posts have reminded me of stuff I've already dealt with in the past. I guess I'm getting old and forgetful or I'm just not up to speed yet but I have to admit, it does get harder as the years roll by. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
I remember bringing the main in before a jibe and feeding it out as the sail flicks over. Whether I can do this and manage a kite is the question. I guess the spi can be set after the main is trimed.
One trick is to have the mainsheet cleat position such that the sheet is easily disengaged and this raises another problem. My Ronstan adjustable cleat position mechanism gives me either a cleat angle which allows for easy engagement while on the wire but not easy disengagement from the trampoline, or the opposite ie., easily disengaged off the wire but almost impossible to engage while on trapeze.
Untill recently I never cleated my main, I simply had a deadeye, no cleat. This had to change in prep. for the spi and I'm not dealing with it well, (three swims in two months) after never 'putting it in' since the boat went on the water in '99.

On another note, now that I have a ms cleat, I've been practicing going under the boom looking forward. Much more confidence building. I hate not looking forward while tacking. Probably not a good idea while jibing in a blow though. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />