original blocks? suggestions to replace?

[IslandFarmer]

Thank you, GreenLake. Yes, your thoughts make good sense as always.

I appreciate your list of things to consider ... like whether it would work for me single-handing and when I have crew ... on the seat or the rail. Right. The whole reason I'm replacing the jib leads is because you have to pull forward to release the jib using the original setup ... not easy when single-handing. I'm planning a trip to Defender (Waterford CT) tomorrow with jib track, jib car with clevis pin, and a short piece of line in hand so as to set up a model in the store and see how it would work on-board. This will also allow me to check out your thought about being able to change the orientation of the cleat/becket as you suggest. According to their website, Defender does have this in stock.
https://www.ronstan.com/us/s40-bb-orbit-blocksinglebktcleatswivelhead.html
https://defender.com/en_us/ronstan-series-40-ball-bearing-single-orbit-block-with-becket-cleat-rf45130
If it seems like it will work, I will get two ... port and starboard ... and invest in a continuous jib sheet right sized diameter for the 40mm block.

Just to confuse things, I asked my brother for advice, and he recommended a much more expensive solution. Though it puts the jib block on a horizontal plane, (nice), I would be left without a cam cleat, and I'm not at the point of wanting to mount one on the CB trunk. Still, interesting to think about. Allen Brothers Ulp Adjustable Jib Tracks https://www.velasailingsupply.com/allen-brothers-ulp-adjustable-jib-tracks/

Looking around at other Allen products, I found Allen Brothers 50mm Switchable Ratchet Block with Becket And Cleat https://www.velasailingsupply.com/allen-brothers-50mm-switchable-ratchet-block-with-becket-and-cleat/, three times the cost of the Ronstan block, but I may consider it if the Ronstan idea doesn't pan out. At this point, I'd rather pay more money than drill more holes/spend more time.

[GreenLake]

Why don't you want to mount cleats on the CB? I find that the perfect location for single handing, especially, if I'm out in lighter winds so I don't have to hike. You'll need to foot to help you cleat them when you are sitting on the coaming. Many DSII's were configured with these CB top cleats being "captive", that is, they had a wire fairlead that keeps the jib sheet close to the cleat and at an angle that simply pulling straight would cleat them. That works fine if you are crewing, but as I discovered, makes it almost impossible to assist from the helm position, even if you're not sailing fully single handed, but your crew needs both hands for a moment to take a picture, look at the GPS, or retrieve something from the cuddy when a gust comes. . . .

That's why I like the non-captive ones. As long as you are holding the jib sheet, it can run at an angle other than 90 degrees, so it works if you sit a bit further back closer to the tiller. Of course, I switched to 55mm Ronstan ratchet blocks, so I don't even need to cleat as often. I've mentioned that before. Now, everybody has their own preferences but I'm very happy with my setup and it works well for me in any situation from single handing, to sailing with crew from zero to expert level skills. Some of the very expert level crew are used to boats that don't have a track, but a fixed fairlead cleat integrated into the coaming. Those are more natural to work with when fully hiked. But we don't always have the wind for that, and I don't always have the crew for that, and I'd rather my (less than expert) crew hold the jib sheet using the ratchet block, then cleating it and not being able to release it when that is critical.

Some of the things you show here are really expensive. If you spend that much money, why note get a bit more modern track (not the one that has the cleats stick out where they are in way of anyone sitting there, but just a bit of modern anodized track. Either 16mm or 19mm. That's the upgrade I made, but in my case, the existing track had failed during the maiden voyage.

[IslandFarmer]

Hello,

I switched threads because I decided to go with bending the existing jib cars. See Mackrelman in 2022, subject: Moving jib sheet tracks and cleats https://forum.daysailer.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6676#p40362

GreenLake, I am definitely keeping your suggestion in mind should that prove unsatisfactory. It sounds ideal. Your note also prompted me to think why I don't want to mount cleats on the CB trunk... and I realized that drilling holes, using glues/epoxies, etc. makes me super anxious. Just using body filler to mount the G10 backing plate was huge, but doing it on my own was a big confidence booster. Next year, I just want to get out and sail (after repainting the bottom!). It's been in a state of repair since 2021.

I also want to respond to your comments of August 28 in which you caution about unwanted flexibility if I opted for the Ronstan orbit 40 series with cam cleat. I did a mockup in the store and that is exactly what happened. It was impossible to release the jib with one hand because the block/camcleat moved with the line. Both the sales guy and his buddy (a customer) ... both of them sailors, agreed. Jim, the buddy, knew all about Uffa Fox and the origins of the Day Sailer including that Fox was upset that O'Day insisted on a cuddy. Jim also suggested bending the jib cars which I have since done following Mackrelman. The salesman and Jim were good-natured and very generous with their time, and I went away with just a new life jacket.

Boat is now safely put away until spring.

[GreenLake]

Now we need to find out how these things work for you in practice.

As long as you are clear in what you want to achieve, you should be able to correctly evaluate alternatives.

Epoxy use is something you can practice away from your boat. That would allow you to gain confidence.