David,
Instead of attaching the whisker pole to the special eye on the front of  the 
mast, try attaching it to the shrouds. Going forward to attach and push out  
a whisker pole requires crew on board. You can attach to one of the shrouds  
without going forward and I do it all the time single handing.
I was out sailing with another R22 skipper this past Sunday and he couldn't  
believe how simple it was. He thought the only place you could attach it was 
on  the front of the mast, Duh! 
I have allowed a lot of discussion of the 175 to slide by the past couple  of 
weeks, but this is coming to a screeching halt.
The 175 is the best sail for the R22. It provides all the power on this  
boat. Furling my 175 does not ruin the sail shape. I have the same Lee sail that  
came with the boat in 1988. Perhaps the Doyle sails have lousy shape when  
furled, but mine does not. The 175 gives you so many advantages, especially in  
light air conditions. In heavy air, it can give you a rush you have never  
experienced. Unless you have the CDI furler and can change your sails, the 175  is 
the route to go. If you don't think so, then you simply don't know your boat  
or how to use the sail properly and would be better off with a smaller  sail.
 
Rummy said that.



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