I am sixteen feet and 7/1 and that is easy. The extra sheet on the deck would drive me nuts for the little gain of easing work load. I have a cleat and that is for when I know the conditions will tire me a little. It is used carefully and not to be lazy. Gloves seem like over kill to me and I have a shock cord with a short of sheet set up on my deck so I can hang off it and develop grip and callouses. The shock cord is good for playing with sheet set ups in general.