I want to get better at racing. I picked up some old gear in Hobart and I've been getting as much TOW with the big kit as possible. I have a couple of questions for those knowledgeable in the area. Admittedly, I'm using old gear 03ish starboard formula 186, gaastra nitro 4's. I'm 75kg, 177cm.

1. What can I do to get more height, upwind and downwind?
2. Is there a way to set my rig better to handle more wind (and therefore more speed, especially downwind)?

I don't have as much height as the dinghies which makes starts and close-quarters really hard. Instead, I have to take the unfavoured end of the line and go deep.
This track makes me think its possible.

Maybe I'm not going big enough? I try to go as big as I think I can handle for the wind, but I run into another problem. I can't sheet in when the wind gets too strong. The centre of effort of the sail moves back so far along the boom, I struggle to keep myself from teabagging even if I push with the front hand and pull with the back hand. I'm talking about using a 10.4 in 12-18kts. How can anyone can possibly hold on to a 10m sail in 25kts??

I'm loving being out on the racecourse again. Heaps away from deserving a yardstick of 80 though. ;)

Judging by your avatar, I'd say you could bring your mast track a bit, that'll help you keep the nose riding high over the chop on the down wind legs. Maybe add some more tension / add a spacer in the second bottom batten too - that should push a deeper belly in the sail, keeping the COE nice an low and stable when the gusts hit. I don't think you have a boom either - as Dean said, try a carbon boom, it'll give you something to hang on to. Get a little bit of sandpaper onto that fin too - it'll smooth out those bumps and help you really point high without the tail spinning out. More downhaul - it'll affect your upwind angles a bit but you'll appreciate it when you're flying downwind.

Hope this helps.