In big winds, on my hobie 16, I always keep the jib uncleated and play it by feel. If the front of the hull starts to go under, I let out a couple feet of the sheet. If it really starts to go I just let the sheet go, and this usually keeps it from going over. Also, mast rake helps, as does trapping off the back corner post. When you do go over, avoid going headfirst into the mast. Pitchpoling can be a lot of fun and is pretty much unavoidable if you are really pushing the Hobie 16.