[MikeField]

Well, yes, I do admit to being a bit conservative in matters like this. And for that reason, I wouldn''t be mounting a halyard cleat on deck without putting a turning block in front of it firsts. Cleats aren''t designed to be pulled up on. If you do use a turning block, though, then you can lead the halyard right back to the cockpit if you want, where it will be a good deal less awkward to make fast to your deck-mounted cleat (and where you might also find a sheet winch available that you can use on the halyard.)