I guess I thought the blk was above the bail because that's the way the HT is set up stock. It's got an undersized cheek blk riveted to the mast above the bail. I guess the bail is placed so that when fully hoisted, the spin head stops just shy of the bail, the remainder of the hlyd goes under the bail, thru the blk, and the tail also goes under the bail on it's way down the mast. So it's now the hlyd sliding from side to side under the bail instead of the strop. Seems like either would work, although you guys have longterm experience on your side.

Dave