I recently bought a used aussie jib halyard based on what I have read about them. I've never seen one used. As you might guess I sail pretty much on my own. Anyway, the blocks on it seem pretty frail. Do people have trouble with these things coming apart? Should I not risk using an old one and get a new one instead? Also, do I cleat the line to the mast as usual? I seems like it would make more sense tie it forward some how.
don't worry much about the blocks. because of the multiple purchase, the individual sheaves don't bear much load.
as for how best to cleat the halyard.... depends on the boat. h16? TheMightyHobie18? what?
Where it attaches to the jib must be bearing plenty. The boat is a Hobie 16.
ok, yes, the shackle that secures the head of the jib is bearing the full load. my point was that the sheaves in the blocks (usual first thing to fail) divide the load between them, and therefore aren't under as much stress as the rest of the system.
on my H16 I cleated the aussie halyard down the mast just like the stock halyard.