[Public-List] Genoa downhaul

[Hugh McCormack]

Good evening,
 
George mentioned in a recent post that he uses a downhaul tied to the top hank on his genoa to allow for single handed sail handling so this question might best be answered by him.  However I am also interested in hearing if others are using genoa downhauls.
 
What I am wondering is how the downhaul line is directed down to the foredeck and where it goes from there?  Does the line hang free from the top hank or is it led through other hanks on the way down?  Is it routed back to the cockpit or to the base of the mast?  In my case I envisage threading the downhaul through a block at the base of the forestay and then running the line back to the cockpit so that my crew can haul on the downhaul while I'm dealing with the halyard and the sail on the foredeck.
 
Cheers,
 
Hugh