1. Cleat hitch on a cleat is quickest and easiest, assuming you have a cleat. I used to use a butterfly knot to a carabiner to a D-ring in the SIB. Butterfly knot because it's quick to tie, doesn't slip, and unties easily.
2. 4 blades generally will give you slightly better hole shot (greater blade area) at the expense of top end. Kind of subjective, though, as you can't determine whether the differences are 3 vs 4 blades or the shape of the blades themselves.
3. Still trying to figure out the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, so haven't gotten to tides yet. In any case, the tides around here (Central California) are a little less extreme than yours, so it's not as important here.
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