A quick way to test the theory short of a complete redo would be to hang a block on a line from the cheek block so that it hangs just below the metal bail, and rig the halyard through that. If that works better, then go ahead with replacing the cheek block with an eyestrap and the metal bail with a line.
I thought about that, and will probably try it, but the block is somewhat close to the bale so there isn't much room based on the angles so the block will be above the bale during rotation and almost under it midline which could creat probs with the block getting caught on the bale.
