A few thoughts:
The general consensus on the forums is to not use quick release fittings on any standing rigging as they do on occasion open when you don't want them to.
As for rig tension I keep my shrouds/forestay snug so that the mast rotates freely but can't flop excessively from side to side. When sailing, the boat will flex and the leeward shroud will be loose no matter how tight you tension the shrouds. The easiest way to tension the rig is to loosen one of the shrouds by moving the pin in the stay adjuster, then raise the mast, crew pins the forestay in the desired location and then have your crew pull the trapeeze wire while you tension the shroud to the desired setting. I have on occasion left the side stays in their final position, hooked my winch (sits on trailer about 1 foot foward of front crossbar) onto the trap lines and had my crew crank in the winch while I lift the mast and then applied enough force on the winch to get the forestay pinned in the desired location. not sure if it really saves much time but it has worked and makes lifting a little easier if the wind is blowing. I leave the shrouds connected when the mast is down and coil them on the trampoline using a velcro strap to hold them to the hiking straps. Then all I have to do is put the mast on the step ball, and lift while the crew pins the forestay, raise the sails, put the rudders on and go. Trailer to water in 15-20 mins.
For tacking, you can backwind the jib and move you and your crew weight back on the windward side of the boat until the bows cross through the wind (in light to moderate wind). Once through the wind move to the other side of the boat and quickly sheet the jib to the new tack. If you leave it backwinding too long it will make it very difficult to get any boat speed so you can fall off to the desired heading. Always try and have your speed up before starting the tack. Put consistent pressure on the tiller through the turn but don't put it hard over. This will stall the boat in irons. If you keep crew weight aft until the bows come through the wind, I recommend uncleating the mainsheet so you can let it out if you don't cross the boat quick enough as it is possible to start flying the hull if the wind is strong enough. In heavy wind or choppy seas, try and initiate the turn while the bow is cresting a wave and not in a trough. Also be prepared to cross the boat sooner and quicker.
Cheers, Jeff
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