MSOPUM,

For what it's worth I've had my TheMightyHobie18 ('85) for about a month and a half. I have similar problems to what you are describing both in getting it to hook when raising it and with getting it to unhook when lowering it. I've found that turning the mast rotation limiter in the opposite direction usually does the trick. I don't know if this makes any sense at all. I don't know if this has anything to do with the direction you hook the ring with the twist shackle when you hook the main ( I dont think it makes any difference ). But anyway it seems to work. In fact it happened again today. Does this make sense to anyone??
PS. I follow the exact steps that MAL listed. WHAT A GREAT SAILING DAY TODAY WAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fred
TheMightyHobie18