Toggles
Hi there,
I'm a bit late jumping in here, but it seems that toggleless stays are a very bad idea: fatigue. As for the blocks, you can either use two shackles, or get a block with an upset shackle. In the latter case, the block, in this application, might be crowded in too close to the mast and stay; more likely is the two-shackle configuration, with a short pendant between them.
On most contemporary blocks, a swivel does not complicate matters, because most blocks have a swivel mechanism built-in, which can be disabled if one so chooses. We generally, for instance, disable the swivel on mainsheet boom blocks, because they have parallel runs, and so are vulnerable to spiralling. But a jib halyard block always loads with an angle between the parts, so swiveling might not be a problem.
As for the becket, well, if that sheave were to fail, any backup strength from the becket might be essentially decorative, particularly if the rope forced the remaining block apart. And good blocks require a huge load even to deform; we had one in the shop the other day that had most of a pair of (empty) overalls dragged through it with a come-along providing force. It's a long story, but the point is that the sheave deformed downwards under the wedging load, and would no longer turn, but it didn't break. Harken, by the way.
Finally, while it might be nice to have a place to tie things to, I'd rather not limit halyard hoist to accomplish that.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss
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