I'd have to second Gary's observations about the M17 hatch. I'm a pretty big boy and honestly I never tried it. My 17 had the backwards opening front hatch, so even if you fit, the hatch lid would prevent you from leaning forward. In this photo you can see the hinges are on the front of the hatch and that there's no way you'd be able to work around it to deal with the luff of the jib. _http://msogphotosite.com/MSOG/b17thomps/b17thomps7.jpg_ (http://msogphotosite.com/MSOG/b17thomps/b17thomps7.jpg) On later versions and I believe the new M17's that Bob builds the hatch opens from the front... Hey Gary H.! Doesn't your hatch open from the front??? Could you manage a headsail change through it??? (http://msogphotosite.com/MSOG/b17thomps/b17thomps7.jpg) Lately, I have been experimenting for the first time ever (for me) with a simple downhaul attached to the jib/genoa head. Holly cow, why I never did this before is beyond me. I don't mind going forward and pulling a sail down when someone's on the helm but when singlehanding it's a pain. When I'm alone I try to make sure I don't overcanvass for the conditions, but if I do, now I can at least get the sail down on the deck and secure before I ever leave the relative safety of the cockpit. It also allows me to hank on a jib at the dock , and attach the halyard without worry that the halyard is going to foul something by swinging around slack before I'm ready to raise it. I just hook up the downhaul and tension the halyard. I know, I know, roller furling would solve that issue. Someday I may go back to a furler, but for now I'm happy with hank-ons. Sean
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