On Oct 2, 8:42*pm, Frogwatch wrote:

In regard to sudden gusts, why not use a breakaway strap like some
rock climbers use whose stitches break at some load allowing the sail
to be let out all the way.

That was a huge issue and we did a lot of analysis on it back during
the sailing school vessel research in the early 80's. The sail and
rig forces caused by wave motion and rolling often exceed the forces
that would cause knockdown although only for brief periods. If you
put "fuses" in the rig, you would have stuff breaking constantly.

--
Roger Long