With the help of a friend I figured out that the blocks and line setup I thought was actually the main sheet is actually the vang. So I was able to make up a mainsheet with the box of hardware the PO left me and attach it as such to the traveler and the boom. So I have the bail for the vang, the bail for the mainsheet but then ANOTHER bail on the back quarter of the boom. Anyone know what this is?
You can see the third bail in the attached photo.
Also, I like the idea of disconnecting the main sheet at the traveler and move the boom over to the side and clipping to the base of a stanchion. The traveler as it is now, seems to make that hard to do. There isn't a clip to attach a snap shackle to but rather you thread the sheet through the top of the block that essentially is the car for the traveler. I wish I had taken a pic but the picture I attached here of the mainsail block is mostly like it but imagine there is no shackle on the bottom and the block is integrated into the car instead. Any way to make the sheet easily removeable or should I just unclip the tackle from the boom and use something else to tie it to the side stanchion?
Regarding the extra bail; Im sure Rodger did not install a traveller, so I bet that aft bail went to the original main sheet (I don't know what it was) system. When someone added the traveler, they moved it forward with a new bail to make it more convenient. Looks like a fine place to hang a lantern when you are camping aboard!
As far as the traveller attach, I've seen everything from beautiful to frightening used to attach the sheet to the traveler. You should be able to attach a screw type shackle to the bottom of your existing block to make it just like the picture. a large shackle to the outboard sides of the traveler or even a steel rod with the proper size hole and a bolt and nut through the traveler can give you a hole or loop to attach a snap shackle that can be easily removed when you wish. My boat has a piece of galvanized "add a link" chain at the top of the traveller that I hook the snap shackle through. It was a temporary repair that I liked so well it's been there 5 years now.
