I had to lower my mast in order to install a new main halyard due to a fouled up winch.  I notice that there is supposed to be a spacer in front of which the jib halyard is supposted to go, but my winch does not have it. You can see what I'm talking about in step #10 of the official installation instructions https://flyingscot.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Halyard-Winch-Installation.pdf The main halyard is supposed to go behind this spacer.  This is an old boat (#328). Maybe they didn't have that spacer with earlier models of the winch? 

My question is whether this spacer is absolutely necessary for the remainder of the season?  Second question, is this omission worth rectifying during the winter with the installation of a new winch with all the spacers in place? Thanks in advance for the advice.