Thanks to everyone for the replies and the suggestions. I don't have the halyard hooks on my mast but I can totally see how they would make a difference.
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<br>I had a chance on the weekend to try the small piece of line through the reefing grommet to hold the two halyards back (and although I can see that the hooks would be even better), the difference this made was night and day. No comparison really. The winds started off heavy but slowly dwindled down to 2 knots, but even in those light winds *not once* did I have a hang-up that a gentle (but assertive) snap on the jib sheet couldn't fix. So thank you for that suggestion, this will certainly tie me over 'till I can get those hooks on.
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<br>A couple other things I noticed that may have helped, the battens were not tied in right, fixing that got them in a little more; and also I could not get my second-from-the-top batten in as far as the others "not for love nor money" so I shaved off about 1/8" and it doesn't stick out as far anymore.
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<br>Thanks once again to everyone. Great ideas. What a great forum this is!<br><br>