[BenDaniels]

This is a common arrangement on smaller boats such as the J-22''s that I also sail on. Workable and you do not have to adjust the downhaul or topping lift when moving the pole lateral position. BUT, there will no longer be anything pulling the pole forward; that is, in a jibe the pole tends to run back along the guy to the shrouds. Many of the boats with a mast-base arrangement use twings/tweakers to remedy this. I will leave the downhaul block forward on my 30'' ULDB; less of a task to adjust the downhaul than to adjust the twings on a boat this size. IMHO.