DSK wrote:
.... 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"?
Bad pilot/bad sailor.

... 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.
BS argument. The weight, cost and windage difference between a masthead
rig and a 7/8ths frac is minimal. The strength difference, I don't know
but I hope the designer does.

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!
Dumb example, but if it sailed well and withstood that kind of
punishment then score!

Guess what, some sport boats are not designed to sail with no mainsail
leach tension in 30 knots.
****ty boat, poor design. Is that 30 apparent? or 30 true? How about
your boat with just a storm ib running off? Could it take it?

DSK

GJD