few of the cats had dolphinstrikers in the 60's.
shearwater, shark, and h14 are examples of strikerless.
to me the pitchpole-ability of h16 is a challenge more than a flaw. We sailed off the wind in a gail coming into hatteras during a worrell once on a h16 without pitching. There have been numerous h16 worlds heats held in winds above 25 kts. and the leaders don't tip over. also the raised trampoline is an asset in the sense that the sailors are up higher off the water, and are more comfortable sailing in rough seas.
on the subject of drowning: one word- lifejacket

i don't know about having a mast with holes top and btm.
Does anyone else think it's a good idea? Hobie14 in '68 was the first boat i sailed with a sealed mast. Granted some of them leaked, but they weren't meant to.
i was thinking of making a foam core composite mast. that certainly wouldn't fill with water if the proper foam was used. it seems i have the technology but not the time to develope it though.
cheers