I've thought a few times about leaving my tiller extension sticking out to leeward for precisely this reason, I can't see anything in the rules that would prevent it, and because of it's length it should buy me a clear half boat's width or more. I've seen some 49ers benefit from having their double tillers because the leeward tiller sticks out beyond the leeward rack.
John,
Don't have the rules in front of me, but I'm pretty sure you're wrong. The HP dinghy's double tillers is equipment in the normal position. Swinging the extension over to the opposite tack, when you'd normally use it on the windward side after the start, to me is a violation. You can say the wind was not heavy enough, at that specific time, to warrant its use, in that case it should trail the boat. Prior to a tack or gybe, you have a case.
