I have the Aussie ring on my halyard and also have the flip-flop removed. I even use McLube but I still have a heck of a time getting the knot to reach the top of the mast block. I'll have to check my knot again and perhaps get a new halyard. Mine does seem to stretch. I put my boat in from a boat ramp so I can't turn it on it's side but it may come to that. Thanks a lot for the insights.
Matt