I moved over to the U.S. and have to sail with a US mast.
Before I barely had problems with my 2001 Hobie 16 from HCE.

Then I also converted the US mast with a fairlead very high up just under the Aussie halyard system, so that the downleading part of the halyard is pretty close to the mast.
Then I attached a camcleat at the centre front on the mast. This is a selfcleating one as HCE delivers the boats.
Thus there is no prebending of the mast to either side, nor the battens get caught in the halyard.
Works fine.

Fritz
VA Beach