Danno, a safe controlled way to beach downwind is to align the boat so it is straight upwind of where you want to land. Steer it head to wind and sheet in the main (not tight - just slightly sloppy), kick up the rudders, and quickly get both people on the deck in front of the main beam one on each side (the crew should have been heading there as soon as you finished getting head to wind). The boat will easily sail consistantly straight backwards while remaining head to wind. Right when you get to the beach, step off and grab the bow and do your thing - the rudders are already up.

This works VERY well on board boats - I've never tried it on a skeg boat so practice on the water to make sure the skegs don't bite in and try to turn the boat.