Thanks for all of the encouragement on my new purchase everyone. I can't wait to get my hands on her. Right now she is plowed in by snow on a farm several hundred miles north of here, and our winter does not seem as if it will ever end. I really envy you guys that are able to sail year round! Thanks, Gary, for the detailed description of how you have rigged your boat. I have had the same 6:1 tackle on a split backstay arrangement on Chiquita for a long time, using the same blocks as you do. Great minds think alike . . . . ??? I will be doing the same on the Monty. I'll probably replace the backstay with Dyneema (easier to coil than wire and easier on the deck/mast when trailering.) I too like the idea of no traveller; that's why I have dual main sheets on Chiquita. I'd like to try your split tail arrangement. I plan on having a 6:1 (3:1 cascaded) tack downhaul for the jib, led back to the cockpit, as well as a jib dowsing downhaul, and an 8:1 (4:1 cascaded) Cunningham or boom downhaul for the main. I should be able to cobble these up from blocks I have on hand. I should also be able to piece together an internal 6:1 outhaul in the boom. The main halyard has some meat hooks and I plan to replace the wire portion of both halyards with 1/8" Dyneema. Will I have to replace the masthead sheaves if they are otherwise in good shape? I'm not sure what I'll do about jib sheet anchors. Both jib and staysail sheet to the cabin top on Chiquita; there are no winches. I use Harken 150 cam cleats with the Xtreme fairleads that allow adjustment from anywhere in the cockpit. I'd love to see pictures of various M17 deck layouts; no point in reinventing the wheel. Might have to sail her a bit to see what feels right before making any changes there. Chiquita is still a work in progress and we've been together for 38 years! I think the new M17 will be the same. What do you all think of the name "Rosita"? Means "little rose" and rhymes with Chiquita (and Bonita ;-) Or "Half Pint"? Or . . . . . ??? -- Henry https://picasaweb.google.com/heinzir