I know when I was in the class it was like pulling teeth to make ANY changes. Did manage to get a loose-footed sail and remove the splash rails, which were huge improvements in performance.

The spreader issue and square-head mainsail would not be a huge investment for owners and would make the sail much more versatile. And, with the raked spreaders you can then really tighten up the diamond wires which will lessen the chance of broken masts. Tight wires prebend the mast on its major aaxis, rather than its minor axis. Most masts break on the minor axis.
RIck