So in what might be described as the maiden voyage (as a new owner of an old boat), both of the jib cars and tracks were torn out of the gunwales under the stress of having the jib sheeted while sailing close haul - not at the same time, but one came out, which I then simply used a horn cleat near the stern to keep the jib under control when needed on that side, using the remaining jib car/track to handle it when on the other side - until, of course, that one ripped out of the fiberglass, as well.
So now I've got two gunwales with 10 holes to patch and I'm reluctant to simply replace the tracks and set it up the same way again. It was challenging to uncleat the line from further astern (as has been discussed on the forum previously, it seems as if the design and angle needed to cleat/uncleat is more suited assuming a second crew member sitting further ahead) - and so I'm wondering if anyone has an alternative setup for managing the jib. I have read about people installing a fairlead then cam cleats on the centerboard trunk, but that seems uncomfortable to have lines running to the center of the cabin if you've got company on board.
Is there an alternative rig to simply manage the jib? Would having a fairlead and cam cleat on the top of the cuddy cabin make sense? What would the drawback be on such a design? How about on the deck just in from the base of the shrouds - or a block mounted there leading to cam cleats on the face of the cuddy? (this would actually be my preferred design, but not sure if there is a reason not to set it up this way?) Is there enough structural strength on the face of the cuddy to handle the strain under cleat? Would there be a way to otherwise cleat from a fairlead that keeps it out of the way and convenient?
Thoughts and guidance would be greatly appreciated - and pictures if you can post them make it easy for a novice such as myself to understand.
Thanks again to all,
DM