Rhodes 19 main rigging?

[totally7able]

Can anyone identify the (approx) year model of this Rhodes 19? My friend has an old one that's been modified over the last 50 years or so. He says that his is a 1961 model.

The current main running rigging on his boat seems messed up to me. It has a bar behind the cockpit like the one in the picture, but also has blocks on the deck located at the ends of the bar. Perhaps they were used for a bridle as on most of the 1960's era Rhodes I have pictures of. Someone down the line removed the block at midboom where the mainsheet used to go, and just ran the sheet straight to a block and tackle mounted behind the cockpit on the top of a bar like the one in the picture. Needless to say this is an incredible hassle to sail b/c the sheet passes back across the front of the body on it's way to the cam cleat on the b&t.

I've looked and looked at R19's on the web but this picture is the only one I found with the bar like the one on my friend's boat. I'd like to get more information about this setup so if anyone could help I'd appreciate it!

 

[totally7able]

Better picture

An enlarged picture. Click on it to open.

 

[cwkemp]

The deck mounted blocks you refer to may well have been part of a mainsheeting system Lightning sailors used to call a Crosby rig which was sort of a predecessor to an adjustable bridle. On the other hand, if the deck blocks are exit type they may be part of a spinnaker rig particularly if there are corresponding blocks below deck at midship. It looks like the "bar" in the photo could be used as a sort of bridle or even a crude traveler rig. It sounds like your mainsheet rig/routing can definitely be changed to suit you with the addition of a little hardware. Research double-ended sheeting for ideas. It also looks like the main rig in the photo should have a vang added and adjustable jib leads. It's these improvements that make the boat your own, better performing, easier, safer, and more fun to sail.

 

[totally7able]

I vote for the spinnaker rig but who knows . Although there are no blocks below the deck, there is something like a jib lead track at about mid to aft deck on both sides near the gunwales. Plus the mast looks like it's set up for a spinnaker too.

Thanks for all the detail -- very helpful.