Hi Danelle, I'm also something of an M-17 newbie, sailing only since late last summer, and, like you, coming off a twenty-year or so hiatus in my sailing career, and since I mainly single-hand and I ain't that young, ease of handling is paramount to me. My main has slugs, and with a sail track stop to hold them into the track, raising and dropping the main is a quick slam-dunk operation. I don't have to leave the helm more than a minute or so (I haven't timed it) to get the sail up or down, which I can do without leaving the cockpit. One foot on the cabin step and the other on the front of the v-berth. The halyard cleats on the mast. The slugs are fed and locked into the track with the stop when the main goes on, and stay there until you want them to come out. There may be other arguments in favor of boltropes, but for hassle-free handling I strongly recommend slugs. Rick Davies M-17 Lynne L Hull #633 ************** Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch "Cooking with Tyler Florence" on AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4&?NCID=aolfod00030000000002)