Make up a wire strop the right length to add in between the headboard and the halyard shackle so that it still hooks over the lock at the masthead. You may need to capsize the boat to get it to hook up.
In this arrangement the maisheet load will not be on the halyard hook. But on the luff track, sheet in & the first thing will be OOPS.
carbon one is probably stronger than the aluminum one.
Yes, if lay up was a little thicker.
