http://sailingsimplicity.com/rigging-simplicity-the-con-of-leading-lines-aft/

Just re-ran across a blog post by Ben at Sailing Simplicity about keeping halyards at the mast.

I have to admit to much preferring my halyards to remain at the mast for many of the reasons articulated here. The big reasons are:

ONE, I can’t see the sail from the main halyard winch under the dodger (and from where I don’t get full throw on the winch handle).

TWO, because I always seem to need to spend time at the mast (often going back and forth two or three times) anyhow to unjam the slugs, remove or install sail ties and cover, unhook the battens from the lazy jacks,  attach the reefing tack (and suck in the lines on the clew). I suppose I could install single line reefing; but with multiple reefs this just seems like a spaghetti nightmare. A sail pack may help with some of the rest. But I don’t mind working at the mast, and that just seems simpler.

In any case, there is a decent discussion at the linked post. Well worth a few minutes.