Theo,

As a 5.5SL owner, I am curious why you are getting a new front beam. I have a 1991 and two years ago the 3 bolts holding one outside end of the dolphin striker bar pulled right though the beam. The beam partially collapsed when the now unsupported large bolt that holds the mast went partially through the beam.

A replacement beam from Performance Catamaran:
1) Had inner sheaves inside the beam in this area for reinforcement(that the original did not)
2) Had a barberhauler system pre-installed.

I have not had problems with the new barberhauler system.