M_Boats: Traveler Location

Is there any sailing advantage, other than crew convenience, to moving the traveler aft in my older M17 like the newer boats as opposed to leaving it all the way forward on the cockpit sole? It seems it would have less control over the boom, covering a smaller arc of travel, the farther aft it is mounted. On the other hand, I can see where it would put less stress on the boom and be easier to adjust the further aft it is. Tell me what else I am missing, please. -- Henry https://picasaweb.google.com/heinzir