Good to hear from you again, Pete - and what a beautiful job you've made of finishing your Trouper! Congratulations.
I'm intrigued about your mention of weather helm. I didn't know that this has been a problem with the gunter rig version, and glad you've been able to rectify it. From the photo, you've something like doubled the size of the jib, and I wonder how she goes now, in general. Appearance-wise I do like a bowsprit!
I realise that I've been very fortunate with my junk rig version (and I'd emphasise that it has been far more luck than judgement) in that the rig has turned out to be beautifully balanced on all points of sailing, including downwind, when a lot of JR boats have a problem with an 'unhandy' amount of weather helm. I decided to increase the sail area (to about 80sq ft) because Matt thought that the lug version anyway was under-canvassed, and this has turned out to be about right - she carries it without reefing in f 4+ winds, and that's with only me aboard: with two up she'd be even stiffer. I decided to use the more forward (lug rig) mast position, and - well, as I said it's all just worked.
As you've probably gathered, Mark ("Kerrybobs') is building a Trouper (which he plans to junk rig). Like me, he lives in Cheshire. I wonder whereabouts you are? Perhaps we can have a Trouper mini-rally somewhere, sometime! I'm sure you would agree that they are very attractive little boats: yours certainly is. Happy sailing!
Michael