RE: Handlaunch a Thermic 36?
For free flight like speeds thin is where it's at. It's an all balsa wing so strength is not going to be an issue as long as you provide a clean javelin like launch.
Or you could use a light duty high start. I'm launching my 50 inch, 12 oz HLG with a micro start that uses a 12 foot loop of 1/4 inch flat rubber model rubber and about 60 to 80 feet of 10 lb test monofilament nylon line with a 5 inch square flag instead of a heavy and draggy parachute. This arrangement takes up my glider like a shot and with much wind at all it'll lift the rubber clean off the ground while still hooked on such that I have to push down slightly and zoom it off. All this with about a measley 16 oz of pull on the line at max stretch