This last week I took out our recently acquired 1978 DS2. I found the original stock mainsheet system (3:1) to be very difficult to use (Amount of effort, difficulty cleating and uncleating). I have a 5:1, ratchet block system, attached photo, from a previously owned Hobie 16. I'm wondering if this might be used on the DS? A few questions: 1. Would a 5:1 system be considered class legal? It might be a little overkill as it can put a significant bend into a much heavier Hobie mast. It would require adding a second strap to the boom for the second block. It could be however be used as a 31 by bypassing one of the blocks. The base and lower blocks of the original system seem to be made in a way that they cannot be taken apart to replace the block stack. The one in the picture has a 1/4" rod with a hole to attach to a base. Will any of the after market bases accept this type of mounting? This one already has a mounted cam cleat and I noticed that the ones for sale come with an arm mounted cleat. Are there any that come without it. It might be easier in the long run to remove the down releasing cleat and use the up releasing cleat that comes with the base. Another question: My Wife is not an avid sailor and I thing the single block on the jib sheet might be a little difficult for her. I've seen where this has been replaced b a ratchet block. Any suggestions for a " reasonably priced" ratchet block for this purpose might be purchased? Any suggestions and comments would be appreciated along with suggestions on where the needed parts might be Purchased.
Just an unrelated question as to posting here. When I go back into the previously typed text to remove and replace a letter or add something that did not type, the following letter/space in the text disappears letter by letter as any edit is typed requiring everything after that point to be typed again??? As an example the 31 in the above text should be 3:1 but if I added the : the 1 would disappear, then the 1 was typed the space would go away. the space would take away the b in by and so forth.
Thanks for your help with the boat issues and possibly with the text issues, John