Hello Pugwash
Happy New Year! I assume it will be even happier when you get your CC19.
Regarding the sprayhood issue; Mary Ann has a HM hood - here are my experiences:
It is very useful when the boat is on a mooring (as mine is for seven months of the year), it prevents any water leaks via the hatch. If you look at the number of posts re leaking hatches, it is probably worth it for this alone.
It is great when motoring into a heavy sea, especially into a head wind. For obvious reasons.
It can be used when sailing on a beam reach, a broad reach or running.
It cannot be used when sailing beating to windward (close hauled) because the boom fouls the top of the hood.
This is annoying, as it is the point of sailing when the hood would be the most use.
I intend to get round this problem by fitting a gooseneck on the mast, thus raising the boom by about 9". This will of course have the added advantage of fewer meetings between cranium and boom.
I hope this helps
Dennis
CC19 #100 Mary Ann