Thanks for the quick reply. First, yes, you're right: the jib downhaul does not need a block at the base of the mast, only at the tack. I mentioned it only as one of the lines I want to bring back to the cockpit. It will simply go back through a fairlead. So there are only two blocks I need at the base of the mast, basically as turning blocks for 1) the topping lift and 2) Reef line.
The topping lift is the kit I got from Rudy at D & R Marine. It didn't have any instructions, but it consisted of a cheek block, a line with a halyard spliced in, and a cleat. I mounted the cheek block at the top of the mast on the starboard side and attached the halyard to the end of the boom. The line simply drops down the mast and cleats to a mast cleat I already had. I'd like to run the topping lift line through a block and cleat it with a cam cleat on the edge of the cubby, so I can raise and lower the boom with the topping lift with just a couple of tugs.
The reefing system that I'm putting in is a single line reefing system detailed here:
https://stingysailor.com/2023/01/14/single-line-jiffy-reefing-2/, There is already an eye strap toward the end of the boom, with a cheek block on the opposite side. I was planning on running the reef line from the eye strap, up to the aft reef point, down to the cheek block, forward along the mast to another new cheek block, up to the reef point, and down the other side to the new block, which then would turn the line back to the cockpit to a cam cleat.
I've never solo reefed, but I'm imagining the procedure as follows: Raise the boom a bit with the topping lift, uncleat the mainsail, use the reef line to pull the reef point down to the boom, adjust the outhaul, cleat the mainsail, roll up and tie the sail (if needed) slacken the topping lift. (I think those are all the steps).
I think I just need to either drill holes for two eye pads, or put on a vang bail. The boat came with a boom vang that I've never used, so I'll be getting that anyway. Might be simplest just to slap the two blocks on the vang bail, but I was thinking they might get tangled up.
The plate was an idea to keep things tidy, but the more I think about it, the more I don't think the plate will work. The tabernacle pins don't provide enough clearance for a flange plate with holes to extend underneath the pin. If I slip it underneath the tabernacle between it and the bottom cast shoe, I have to make sure that flange doesn't interfere with the hinge action. So, probably will go with the vang bail and keep it simple. If the lines or blocks get messy, I'll re-think.
Any and all guidance on this is much appreciated.
Doug