Jake,
I disagree that less sweep increases the force on the rear spreader bar. To attain the same prebend in an unloaded mast would require tighter wires increasing the force on the spreader assembly. I set the mast up with the same tension. Once the mast is in use it does not matter anyway. the pretensioning of the wires is just to prevent the inverting that happens before you get sheeted and downhauled,and to avoid any bending to leeward, closing the slot. I did not cause the failure the design of the fitting is the cause. Please look at the picture again. Picture the forces and the moment arm with relation to the web of the extrusion. Why not just improve the bracket? I do not know why Perfomance would not want to make a slight change that would make such a big difference in reliability.

Ice boating usually is happening somwhere any weekend from december to march. The really good ice is usually first of december in these parts. would you fly or drive. You are welcome to join us.
Think Ice, Dave