We made this change this season and are happy with it. I installed a SOAK clip (a made for this purpose glorified clothespin) to the rail about half way between the shrouds and the bow on the rail. It didn't work, the headsail usually unclips it. I haven't solved the problem but have found that having the halyard loose is untidy but otherwise not a problem.

Perhaps with a lighter halyard (ours is ancient) and lots of slack the clip would work.

Look for a post I made earlier in the year. It has a good reply from Patrick who is foredeck on another boat.

Bryan

:: I am in the process of changing the hatch for launching
:: the spinnaker from the front hatch. I have added the bag
:: below the hatch also. Everything I have read indicates
:: that we need to latch the halyard to the pulpit or toe
:: rail. I have installed a shackle with the release line
:: going to the starboard side through the old downhaul
:: rigging.
::
:: Does anyone have pictures of the halyard release
:: mechanism? Any tips for launching the spinnaker from the
:: front hatch? This is my first attempt so any suggestions
:: are more than welcome!