Downhaul Reeving

This is the downhaul system on the used 18 I bought(Titled as '83 but...?)Could someone help me with proper reeving?

You're short one block on the tack fitting (the part in your hand that connects to the tack of the sail). The original owner may have used that spacer between the two blocks as a sheave, but it would probably bind and not work real well.

This system is intended that you can adjust the downhaul from either side of the boat. You probably want about 15 feet of line. Start at one of the exit blocks at the mast base, go up to the sheave on the tack fitting, then down to the cheek block riveted to the side of the mast, then up to the center block on the tack fitting (which is missing, for now you can just use that center spacer), then down to the cheek block on the other side of the mast, back up to the last block on the tack fitting, and finally back down to the exit block on the other side of the mast.

For this system, you want to try to get the tack fitting/pulleys up as close to the bottom of the sail as possible so that you get the most range out of the downhaul. Personally, I prefer to use a Harken micro triple block instead of that tack fitting. I use a high-strength, low-stretch line to tie the block to the sail grommet.

sm

Thanks,
I kinda figured something was missing. I thought I needed another pulley on the tack fitting but I'm new to all this so I thought I'd better ask. This boat seems to have had some upgrades, add-ons etc. done to it. It's titled as an '83(starboard hull) but has had the port hull replaced. It has a comp tip mast and post 87 rudders. It's a bit of a project!

Also a project-Me learning to sail

So I need something like the Harken H228 and an appropriate shackle?

That's basically the block that I use, but you can't connect it to the tack with a shackle. You would have to tie it on because the tack grommet on the mainsail is above the lower batten cap.

You can use the tack fitting that you have, but you'll have to connect another single block to it.

sm