Sorry for pointing this out Greg - but you've got the ring rigged wrong!
The halyard should pass through the offset eye, then tie a figure of eight stopper knot in it. The shackle goes onto the headboard of your mainsail with the knot facing AWAY from the mast.
You'll find that rigged this way it'll work as designed.
Just to be sure everyone understands the process:
1. Attach halyard ring to top of sail with knot facing away from mast
2. Pull the sail up until you hear/feel the ring latch onto the hook
3. Pull the sail down so that it is locked on the hook before attaching the downhaul
To unhook:
1. Remove the downhaul (optional but it makes the process easier IMO)
2. Pull the sail up hard while the boat is head to wind
3. Rotate the mast as far as possible (experiment to find which way unhooks the halyard easiest)
4. Release the halyard while holding the mast rotated
5. Pull down on the sail while still holding the mast rotated
6. Once the sail starts to move you can let the mast centre itself.
Just add something to jalani’s post if you pull the halyard from the mast base in the direction that the mast must be rotated to release the sail there is no chance of it rehooking because it is already rotated.
Matt
