ADDITIONAL Question - what kind of tie-downs are folks using to tie down the mast both up front on the mast stand and aft where the mast is secured to the rear cross bar? Shock cord, cam buckle straps, standard line, etc.???

I use the Hobie Mast Cradle (page 35 of their catalog) in the back and a bungie cord around the mast where it sits in the mast stand - I lined the mast stand 'Y' with foam (using zip locks) to cushion the ride. This works well.

To secure the boat I use a line around the front cross bar (where the mast attaches) to the trailer and use two webbing/buckle cams from Lowes accross the boat. These webbing/buckle cams allow me to carry the sail on top the the tramp (tieing the sail back to the post where the mast connects to the front cross bar).