My girth increasing faster than my age - even when I was at 'fighting weight' of 170# it was VERY hard to get my shoulders thru the foredeck hatch - My boat is an early model -1980 I am not sure if the late model hatch is larger. If it is blowing - start out with the working jib -Of course if you need to change down to the small jib, it a fairly easy deck with good handholds to get up and do the work from the deck. GO M-17 #316a Team Geezer Racing...Old and In the Way PS I have driven the bow of my 17 into the back of a wave on a broad reach (surfing) and taken about 6-8" of water over the foredeck (not exaggerating) - NONE into the cockpit ! We did that three times one afternoon teaching a student to sail ! He LOVED it. Next time I will head up a little more, spend more time on the face of the wave. Personally -I think mine was ready to break into pieces but I was lucky to get home -whew. I think we used the Jerry M-Curb Method. LOL **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489