How hard is a Skiff

James a few pointers from your pics

you need to pull the main in more to balance the kite, roughly to the edge of the hull.

also you need to keep the boat flat at all times,it capsizes if your not, which I guess you already know.

 in that breeze you need to be out on the rack. to get the right angle down wind just step out and head up (firm and smooth) untill you feel the boat start to trip then allow the kite to pull the bow round untill your flat. if you feel the boat slow or heel over windward headup again.

looks like your doing well, I did alot of swimming when I was learning all part of the fun.

I think i might be at draycote sunday are you not going to be there tt

TT,

In addition to Sten's comments set your trapeze lower so you can just about hook on when your sitting on the wing.

If you have to stand up on the hull to hook on your not applying much leverage to the rig at that point.

You can actually sail pretty fast just sitting on the wing ... then just clip on and extend to trapezing ...

We all had a phase of swimming to start with ... if you stick at it you will soon recieve the benefits.

I've seen a lot worse! As others have said you need that main in a whole lot to provide you with the balance. With the main as far out as it is in the photos the wind can't get the best exit from the kite and the main is just dragging. I too would drop the trapeze 6 inches. Other than that you look fine (if a little constipated in pic2 ).

There are quite a few new musto and rs700 in the midlands area now. two musto at carsington, carsington closes jan and is very cold feb as high up. a winter membership would be good if we all go to the same place, rutland or grafham draycote is close for the midlands  and only £100 last year?