M_Boats: cleat on M17 mast

I wonder if anyone out there has replaced the main halyard cleat with a large jam cleat (or even a cam cleat) to facilitate the reefing process. I find it cumbersome to reach out from the cockpit with one hand and cleat the halyard off while trying to keep it taut. Am I missing something that might make a regular cleat the only choice? Thanks, Tom Jenkins M17 Scintilla