I'm pretty sure NACRA started this around 1984...my 82 5.2 does not have raked spreaders, nor does a friend's old 83. Michael C. (perhaps he can comment) bought a used boat that had raked spreaders and I seem to remember that it was an 84 or 85. Upgrading them is possible but you are still left with a rather large hole in the mast where the old spreader went through. I've been reassured this won't hurt anything but I figure I'll wait until I have no other recourse to make the boat faster before I upgrade mine.