Something handy is to run the main sail halyard through 2 holes in the mast at about 1m from the bottom. There the halyard comes out of the mast and a couple of centimeters later goes back in. This enables you to stand at the front beam to rig the sail and still be able to pull downwards at the halyard. Saves time as you don't have to walk back and forth all the time.
On my boat the halyard goes down inside the mast track, and exit from it under the boom gooseneck. That's a perfect place to push down on it when standing in front of the beam. I never walk back and forth with this arrangement.
A seperate tack line is convenient indeed as it gives you time to steer in between the hoist. Same for dousing.
I don't understand this one? One line is definitely simpler, pull one side the spi goes up, uncleat and pull the other side to get it in. Two lines give you twice the chance of a foul, and an additional cleat. I prefer the one line system solo. Duo is another story, separate lines allow the crew to pop the spi faster as it is already partially out before the turn.
