Hi Rolf,

Seems us Tboat sailors think alike...yes, this is also how I store my main halyard...shackled to the boom to hold the boom up. One further tip, I tie a stopper knot (figure eight) at a point along the halyard where it exits the base of the mast so that when the other end is attached to the boom, the knot stops the line passing further through the lower turning block. Now all I need do is apply some main sheet tension and presto, everything is done with no need to tie off the halyard at the mast base. This stopper knot is also very hand if you locate it such that when you've got the mainsail attached, it hold the head board just a few inches higher than the opening in the mast track. Once started in the track, you can let go of the halyard without the sail falling out of the track.

PS I agree, UV damage on the good quality spectra line is neglible, even in sunny Southern California.

Mike.