Lone Star 16 questions

[LeatherneckPA]

Please bear in mind that my sailing experience boils down to a one week school (A-B-Sea Sailing in Port Richey, FL) and a lifetime of dreaming.

Let's start with how much room should be between the gooseneck and that little slot you slip the plastic slides into on the mast? My first thought was that the gooseneck should fit in there and actually go up the mast. But then if your sails get slack you could actually down haul the gooseneck part way back into that slot. Even I know that would not be good. Hmm, but can your sail pull the gooseneck back up into the slot? You see how little I know!?

Let's go to the other end of the main now. Is 6 inches enough space to tighten the clew? Or should it be more like 9 or 12 inches?

And there is one more side to a mainsail, right? How long should this side be? I understand that longer means more sail area, but too long lets the boom hand dangerously low.

I'm 6'2" and over 50 (not real flexible) so how high do you suggest my boom should be?

As for the jib, I'm guessing that as long as the halyard draws tight it doesn't matter how little room there is between the top of jib and the block. And the sail they sent me seems like it would sweep the deck at every tack. With that cleat sitting right there in the middle of the foredeck that can not be good for the foot of the jib.

More DNG questions to follow, I'm sure.

OH, one more question. Are there any LS-16 people within a day's drive (500 miles) of Williamsport, PA?