First race results, soft shackle results, and a question

Papoose won the first race of the Sierra Point YC season correcting to 30 seconds ahead of the first boat across the line, a T-10. We were 3 minutes ahead of the other T-10 boat for boat. That was pleasing given that both T-10s flew spinnakers and we didn't. We didn't even get our whisker pole out all the way due to early season problems. The race was strange with wind from 0 to 20. The secret of getting around the course at all was to recognize where the 0 was and coast through it. For example, the weather mark was in no wind and only the two T-10s and Papoose coasted around the mark, where we all stopped. When the slight breeze picked up, the three of us went slowly forward until we again hit the wind. When we were all at the downwind mark, I looked back and the entire rest of the fleet was still at the first mark. This was the first time we were able to tack our 155 without anyone on the foredeck to clear the hang ups. The guys would take the sail across where the clew would briefly stop on the rigging. They pause there and when the wind takes it off the rig, they pull like hell and every tack was wonderful. Previously, the sail would hang up on the rigging on the other side making it necessary for someone to walk the sail across the foredeck. That is no longer necessary. You can read more than you will ever want to know about soft shackles here: http://l-36.com/soft_shackle_intro.php My question is, I recall some discussion on shroud rollers on this group. It would be great if the guys didn't have to wait for the wind to clear the sail at all and could just crank it in. I am wondering if anyone could refresh my memory on that subject, share what works, and in generally discuss this problem and its solutions. Allen