No need for an eye splice at the halyard ring with a long / bulky tail. Thanks!
I'm going to be starting with a 5:1 downhaul system this year, so I'm hoping my stock ring will suffice for the season.
I'll be making a system like centralmichigansailor described in his truly inspirational 2011 posts.
I did notice your relocation of the rotation control arm.
I imagined that the purpose of running a line from the arm to the boom cleat was that the mast would rotate to the desired position 'automagically' as you tacked /jibed. Berman describes marking and setting the line carefully.
It seems you have abandoned that system - unless I have missed something else ( likely...). Perhaps the factory setup never worked well as designed?
Thanks again for all the advice. Summer is short here, and I'm looking forward to getting out and having fun with a nicely set up boat.