Thanks Wouter. I've seen that system on more modern boats and it does look like it should work well plus it lets you use a thinner and lighter boom. You're right, it's the car in the boom on my H17 which is binding under load and that would't happen with the other system. The only disadvantage that I can think of with the system you describe is that it doesn't allow you to quickly/easily disconnect the mainsheet clew from the boom using a quick pin which can be useful on the beach.

Jerry