Thanks Guys for your thoughts and constructive support. I might add that this all comes on the back of a hell year during which all manner of crap transpired including my wife experiencing major heat problems, so I'm due for, but not expecting some respite.
In retrospect it wasn't major life changing stuff and it'd take more than that to turn me off sailing and yes I'm already considering building a new rudder set from the many surplus bits I have residual post build.


I can only think that the lower pintle pin was deflected sufficiently by the pressure of the rudder drag. I will install full metal pintles, probably with spring pin retainers.

I have checked other cats in my area and while they all claim to be quicker than 2hrs rigging, in reality they all take lots of time to set up.

To the question of boat handling I'm now of the opinion that it may be better to cleat the spi sheet and work the main rather than the reverse as I do now. I figure it this way;
As I come up after setting the kite, there is an angle at which the windward hull begins to rise. As best I can judge this angle is probable going to give the best VMG if not the best fun sailing as you bear away to ease pressure and gain some depth [on windward / leewards] and bring it up again to build speed. On triangular courses height is generally what is needed.
What I'm finding is, in stronger winds, as pressure increases, it gets more difficult to bear away quickly enough to reduce heeling and spi sheet tension sometimes needs to be eased. This causes the sail to collapse and a combination of steering and sheet adjustment is necessary to re-establish the set and good speed, loosing precious time.
I'm thinking that if the main sheet is eased to reduce pressure and better facilitate bearing away, continuous boat speed could more easily be managed as the spi continues to 'draw'as you come down. And on triangular courses significant height is not lost.
It may be too difficult and I may end up swimming, but I'd like to give it a try.

Thanks again for your thoughts and concern,

Berny.

P.S. I did look at the snail but.........ummmmm.......I really don't much like the concept and they are difficult to come by here in Oz.