Going dead downwind

Not that I have spent any real time in a Supernova, but from what I have heard and seen the shroud base is quite far aft and as such you won’t get the boom anywhere near 90deg as such you will only get the top of the leech by the Lee and I should imagine this is not quick.  The Supernovas seem to gybe DDW. 

Jimbo as for the Solo (I am no expert but have spent plenty of time in one over the years) you can sail a Solo by the Lee as the shrouds are loose and you can almost get the boom out 90deg, but you will need to dump any kicker to get near.  I only ran by the Lee in short transitions to either bear down a wave or change lane.  It never paid to soak so low for prolonged amounts of time.  Please take this as how it’s meant and not how it sounds (we are similar weights) you will as a bigger bloke get slapped all over the lake downwind in all conditions other than see sailing where your extra weight can help maneuver the boat a drive it harder.  For us bigger blokes in the Solo, when sailing dead downwind inland lift the board all the way (I mean all of the way pop a little down when you want to turn) I played the kicker to control the leech down wind, just small amounts.  Most important is where you sit, too far forward you will hear the noise from the bow too far back you will kick up a hell of a wash which you will see through the transom flaps.    I would also check your rake mate.  There is a fashion to run with the mast foot all the way forward and sail the boat like a Finn (Matt Howard way)  but inland I would sail with the mast more upright in virtually all winds (as in the old Jim hunt tuning guide) IMHO with the mast raked massively you lose out downwind, not a problem so much on the see where your hull movement is as important if not more so but inland I think it really does not help with downwind speed so keep your mast more upright mate.  Also run the mainsheet 1-1 downwind so you can sheet (read Pump) the main quickly!