That's a good suggestion Doug. With a boltrope main, I regularly have to feed the sail and haul simultaneously, so the mainsail halyard running to the cockpit would be problematic for me (although the sail comes down easier than it goes up). Of course the easiest head sail management approach is roller furling. Usually no fuss or muss whatsoever with all associated controls led aft. Using the traditional hanked on arrangement, certainly lead the headsail halyard aft. A servicable solution under conditions where you are compelled to shorten sail is a reef point in the headsail. You can at least reduce the sail quickly to make the boat more managable if you're caught with too much up. You will have to juggle a new sheeting arrangement at the reef clew which will require a short, fast outing forward. I know this will work with a working jib, but I'm not sure if it works on a larger genoa. Somebody will know. This setup will require a bit of rigging similar to that used for a jib downhaul and the ability to easily change the sheet position. And of course a jib downhaul is essential. At least you can get the sail all the way down until circumstances allow you to safely go forward. Outside those options, with a hanked on sail, I'm out of ideas. Others? t Tom & Jane M17 dharma bum