.... I don't see any
place at all... where the spreaders are
pressing inward on the sail.

Gary wrote:
Lowers, wrinkles.


Nope, I don't see it. Maybe if you loan me your glasses?

How are the lowers going to press against the main when the
boom iis barely eased past the gun'l?


My point is , the main provides the most support when sheeted tight.

Agreed.

... His
point is the main doesn't provide much lift, just balance.


That doesn't mean it can't also support the mast, especially
in a boat with*out* capstays.


Rig/boat design (racing) is a poker game. Those designs that have the
upper section snap off are bad designs.

???

Thos designs which have the upper mast section snap off when
the design parameters are exceeded... by a LOT... are bad
designs?

I guess IYHO if a place crashes when the pilot aims it
straight towards the ground and jams on full throttle is
also a "bad design"?

... The sailing world is full of
crap designs.

Agreed.
Mostly because that's what seems to sell.


... It's nice that Shaw's design incorporate cap stays to
help keep the mast together... maybe that's why he put them there.

Not nice but good design.

They also add weight windage & cost. If that makes the boat
slower under common circumstances, then it's bad design.

It's a trade-off.


It's also stupid to insist that a boat (especially a performance boat)
should be totally bulletproof in all situations.

That is stupid. Nobody wants a boat that stays together in all
situations?????????

Does your boat stay together if it is lifted by a dirigible
and dropped onto a parking lot from an altitude of 12,000'?
Oh wait, your boat isn't designed to withstand that!

Guess what, some sport boats are not designed to sail with
no mainsail leach tension in 30 knots.

DSK