That maybe so, but I still do prefer to have the crew at the leeward bow manhandling the jib or holding the mast rotation firm. This way the crew is also out of my way (and the tiller/mainsheet I'm holding) and is still capable of adjusting the trim of the rig when need be (something he can not do when he is ahead of me on the luff hull).

I see therefor many points of reason to having the crew on the leeward hull. The only downside is can't do roll tacking very well like that. On the other hand, in some really difficult conditions I have also remained in my spot after a tack/gybe and continued sailing like that. Sure makes "NOT rocking the boat about" alot easier to accomplish. You can get really smooth tacks that way.

Maybe it makes Robbie slower to having a crew on the leeward hull but it certainly makes ME faster and that is why I do it.

Wouter