Mast fair leads

[Roc]

Just curious, but what do most use these two fair leads at the base of the mast for?  I haven't used them for anything, but wondering if they could make something better......

[Jim Hardesty]

Roc,
I have a 2001 and I don't have any fair leads on the mast.  But then I have in mast furling ie don't have reef lines do have a furling line.
Jim

[Jack Hutteball]

Roc, no fairleads on my 2001 #1555.
Jack

[Roc]

I've thought of them for routing the halyards, but never did since that seems to add a friction point, and what would be the benefit since the halyards run right past them anyway!

[Breakin Away]

My 2001 #1535 has the same fairleads. IIRC, the furler or spinnaker halyard goes through the port one. Right now nothing goes through the starboard one, but I've been debating whether to run main halyard or reefing line through it. As others have pointed out, it seems like it could add friction and a point for fouling.