I don't want to interfere with the ongoing discussion about the chicken-wire but I like to mention here that there is still the oldfashioned footstrap for the backfoot,
and the making of a special standing-platform as alternative for this wire. See picture:
The standing platform is in my view a must for a firm grip for the legs. In my case with high trap lines, it has to be under a certain angle with the sideboard of the hull.
(you cannot see this good on the picture, but the whole standing-strip is under 60 degrees)
And last but not least,it has to be covered with anti-slip surface.
With this construction I sort of imitate the standing on a windsurfboard where you have to brace yourself against the forces of the sail in diagonal direction.
Because I shaped the hulls by myself I could easily implement this standing-platform in the hulls themselves. But on my previous cats I made some simular add-on constructions with epoxy, glass and some wood.
I never had any need for a chickenwire with this provision on board. I use it constantly in choppy or wavy water and/on broad reach.
And Arjan, you are a bit confused by the mixing of ideas for the chickenwire: some members speak about a wire which hold you aft off the rearbeam on a downwind course.
And some speak about fixing themselves between the two beams for withstanding forces in forward and backward direction (with cleats).