Yep, we're arguing our own corners yet somehow reaching the same conclusions Defo agree that many go too short too soon.
I seem to have fallen into the trap of assuming that what worked for me must work best for everyone, when the reality is that we all adapt to the kit we are using, and as we improve we assume it's our kit in particular that must be responsible and anything else wouldn't have been as good
Your last point is one of the things I love best about this sport - the progress is soooo fast. Try a new thing, like switching stance before or after a gybe, and for the first few days of trying I'm like, "how the hell does anyone do this??" Then, suddenly you nail one, and it's now like, "ohhhhhh", and after a few more attempts its, "what's everyone having problems with this for?"
Crossing my fingers we can all get back on the water soon. Take care