Hey Dan
Yeah my jib really hangs up on the mast as well it honestly is pretty annoying. Um Like you I have a really old boat and if you still have the orignial sails I would think that the jib woudlent be a problem at all when tacking. I just put all new sails on my cat last year and noticed that the jib is a new shape than the old ones. My old jib would just barly touch the mast each time and made beautiful tacks, The new sail really hangs up on the mast kinda pisses me off actually
any way ive heard you need to really cut the battons down a bit more or get those hinges for it. Not sure why they chagned the shape of the sail I liked the old one better but I guess for racing or somethign the new jib is better. Any way that is my two cents about it any way and the info that I have acquired on teh same problem. Im going to give those hinges a try some time I think they are supposed to be pretty slick if you get them let me know how they turn out for ya ive still got ot come up with the cash to re rig my boat with new lines. oh by the way did that 79 come with trapieze lines and harnesses?
I have to put hose on mine as well which is going to be pricey im thinking. Any way hope that helps.
Lee