SWEET PEA's (hull #375, 1983 build) mast has the 'opening' set very low ... 2-3" from the cabin-top. i find it anoying thus far as i must leave ALL slugs in when reefing (so the reef is set a bit 'high' IMO) and i must load the sail and then the boom ... this is a big PITA. the setup adds about 5 minutes to the rigging process. SCRED, my M15, has the opening much higher - at least 18" above the cabin-top. this allowed for putting the boom in place and then loading the main easily and quickly. reefing was also a cleaner operation. it seems at times many boats leave jerry's and bob's shop with 'own custom options'. dave scobie M17 #375 - sweet pea (http://www.m17-375.webs.com) M15 #288 - SCRED (for sale, http://www.freewebs.com/m15-named-scred --- On Thu, 5/21/09, Tom Jenkins <tjenk@gte.net> wrote: Hello all, I assume the cutout on the M17 mast slot is designed to accomodate a boltrope main (by both size and location), but I find that it is not perfect for slugs. Among other things, one of my slugs falls right in the cutout on a double reef. Is there a reason why the cutout could not be, say, 8-12" from the mast bottom, assuming most newer boats come with slug-type sails? Thanks, Tom Jenkins