In my limited experience, rig tension seems to be the biggest factor for encouraging easy mast rotation. Another option is to use positive mast rotation line (cam cleats on the beam with about ~8ft line loop going to the rotation control yoke).

Regarding the main hooking, I use cunningham just to get the wrinkles out and have been pretty loose with the sheet - sheeting-in just to the point that the 2nd (of 3) leach telltales barely starts to act up. It seems to work pretty well.

I've been trying to decide if this is better/worse than more firmly sheeting and using more cunningham. I kinda think I'm headed in the right direction (at least in the really light stuff) because it gives a bit fuller and more powerful sail.