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The first thing I do to set sail is snug up my lazy jacks to carry the boom higher than it normally sets, and, of course, free the sheet. I can see how lifting the boom with the leech would be horrendous - you would be lifting against the leverage of the gaff.
Sailing downwind, I always raise the centerboard full up. Even in light air, though in light conditions a jibe with the centerboard down isn't a big deal. It's always drag, though, and the boat will run a little faster downwind with the centerboard retracted.
These boats, dare I say it, will also sail a long way on the lee. Just please don't count on that until you explore that particular envelope in light conditions, and with the awareness a wind shift can get interesting. The only time I deliberately sail on the lee is maybe just getting far enough to round a point to head up, or something like that. The boom end will start to lift or wag in circles (usually) before the jibe happens. There is (quite often) time to head up to avert a crash jibe.
Gee, wonder why my head hurts. Maybe a bicycle helmet would help...
Also, I've found that accidental jibes can be really rough on the boat but don't threaten a capsize quite like a mishandled planned jibe can. The jibe doesn't happen until the boat is far on the lee, and when the sail slams across it's getting out and stalled pretty quick. Mark's Hudson River technique can pull you through, no doubt to the delight and amazement of any crew not yet in full mutiny.
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