Okay, I just talked to Dave Calvert, of Calvert Sails. He has made Hooters for Prindle 19's, and he definitely recommends using a fixed hound as opposed to the rope bail.

He said:

1. There has been no problem with mast rotation one way or the other, using a fixed hound.

2. There should be no structural problem with the mast if the Hooter halyard hound is not more than 2-3 feet above the jib hound.

3. A fixed hound is preferable when using a Hooter because of the increased stress loads.

4. If you used a rope bail as used by some people for asymmetrical spinnakers, the rope bail would definitely get twisted.