So here's the current(temporary?) solution. The rope clutch has been replaced with a Schaefer jam horn cleat mounted in it's place at the base of the mast. When raising the main, it runs alongside the cleat to the turning blk mounted to the main beam below the mast, then to the rope clutch now also mounted on the main beam, then to another turning blk that allows me to stand at the mast feeding the slugs into the track while pulling on the hlyd. I'm currently using the core of the destroyed hlyd, which doesn't hold all that well in the clutch. I'll replace it with a new T900 line in the spring when the boat budget will (hopefully) be in better shape. When the main is at full hoist, I have to release the rope clutch and transfer the hlyd to the horn cleat, which is a bit of a bear in the tight space, but doable. I lose and inch or two of hoist in the process, but there's sufficient downhaul range to accomodate. Thanks for all the advice boys! She'll finish out the season in this trim, and I'll contemplate improvements over the winter.
