Tim & others,

Thanks for feedback & info.
Will have a bit of a look see at hull construction just to put mind at ease.
I know Cameron rebuilt the decks on 'Blue Tongue' so he should be able to give some internal details from hulls.

It sounds like higher stress comes beating to windward anyway, my friend broke his cat on a tight shy reach two up going flat strap.

Food for thought may be to use a front bar similar to a Nacra 5.8 to change the load directions and limit the pull inwards. This would have to go through the class association but would allow timber hulls to continue, and the ability for people to still build their own while competing with full sail compliment.

May just go easy on the rig at first to 'test' before really going for it.

Cheers,