I have sailed both with downhaul at the base of the mast and forward at the middle of the foredeck. I honestly prefer the forward mounted downhaul as it gives much more stability to the pole as it creates a triangle of forces between the guy, uphaul and down haul. Yes, adjusting down haul for pole forward and back can suck, but so can constantly fighting with the pole moving back on the guy.
I agree that going for maximum point is the priority in everything except the very lightest of winds where you need to keep the boat moving. Sometimes that means the main is backwinded (we call it a speed bubble). Up at the top of #1 range we are seeing only the aft third of the main being backwinded, but we are still going close to 7 kts inside 25 degrees apparent. If you are light on crew, you will start back winding earlier as you are lowering the main to keep the heel appropriate. Start stepping down headsails if the main is starting to flog.
I agree with the trim approach of setting the headsail for maximum point and playing the main to find where the best speed is. If best speed is with main low enough that it is flogging even though it is as flat as plywood, it means it is time to reduce sail unless you like replacing windexes off the top.
Another secret weapon that doesn't get used is the reef. The J/30 is as fast as blazes with the #1 up and reef in the main. A reef is much faster to put in and shake out than a headsail peel and is especially effective where you are slightly overpowered at one end of the course. It is also really effective where you think you might be over powered with the kite up in high winds. Try it with a reef and the kite up, the stability improves and you might even be faster because you are fighting less with the rudder.
Another tip to save your stanchions: It is the only yacht I have been on that the spinnaker sheets like to be run inside the lifelines because it is so wide. It is better that the guy presses on the lifeline outwards when the pole is back vs the alternative where the force is exponentially higher when the pole is forward near the forestay.
