"The wings won't make you go any faster" line is a load of ... (assuming you plan to trap off them Hobie 17 style). They'll increase your righting moment and as a result your power and/or efficieny in stronger winds. Testing the strength isn't hard either. Get a couple of mates to sit on the other hull and test them on the shore. Because the water will allow some "give" you'll never put as big a load on them on the water as you can trapping and jumping on them on land.

If you decide you do want to add a kite let me know as I might be able to do you a deal on our old one.

Having said all that I really wish you'd gone F18, we're just busting for a good excuse for a road trip and would have brought our boats down from Auckland a couple of times a season to race you.

Keep in touch.