The SC17 Halyard is the same as the SC20. I have had zero problems with it and find it much easier to raise and lock the main than any of my Hobies (16, 17, 18). I haven't had any of the bolt rope/halyard problems listed earlier.....just lucky I guess. As for releasing it, sometimes it takes a couple tries but it's no big deal, alot easier fiddling with something directly in front of you than trying to fiddle with something 30 ft. over your head that you can't really see. Seems like an excellent system.