Sailing without battens

I never think about dropping the main, probably because we can't. So it's the "handbrake turn" for us every time. It's certainly the easiest answer if you can drop it.

Agree with Neil on the launch method. Crew holds the boat by the windward shroud and you get in over the back. Get the board half way down, and when you're ready for the off, sheet the jib in, heel the boat to windward (helps the crew get in and also bears the bow away), then the crew pushes the nose offwind, and clambers in, then bring the boat flat and use the main to keep the boat stable while you get sorted and get your foils down.

Don't pull the kicker on until you're both settled and ready to sail it properly, otherwise you'll struggle with the power on/off switch.

I prefer keeping a foot of board (or as little as you can
without it fouling the boom too much) down all the way in,
the crew can jump out in waist deep water and then the helm
pulls the db out and gets the rudder properly up and out
the way. I've only once had a problem with that, being
slightly over ambitious and wiping out!