Actually, yesterday was the big day sailing my new boat for the first time. Winter is definitely over, water is still cold with around 6°C, but the air was already almost 20°C. Anyway, sailing a new boat is such a great experience - it could have snowed and I wouldn't have cared ...

Thanks for the remarks concerning the block on the mast, now I understand in full what the loop is for. Next time I hoist the spi (hopefully tomorrow) I will check if it's clear from any obstructions. And, the s-hook is already gone on my boat, the previous owner obviously decided to do it the conservative way ...