[quote=MN3][quote]You have a point there, but if that was the case it may have been cheaper for them to put in an additional bulkhead and/or a stringer at the bows during construction to keep the bow from towing similar to how they do with the modern F18's, Inter/NACRA 20.. for handling the load for spinnakers... probably would have cost them what $2.00 for materials and 15 minutes work? [/quote]
hard to know what was cheaper 20 years ago as a company was in it's end of life stage: changing production lines and methods + adding materials vs. adding a small metal bar above the hulls
either way .... the "need" was probably based on several reasons.... costs (and profit), ease of install and use, decrease the likelihood of failure, and better jib positioning to help with the reduced main sail area
the 1989 ad states - "an innovative bridle mount system results in a larger jib that propeles the Escape at exciting speeds and allows for easier tacking"
[img]http://www.thebeachcats.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=81480&g2_serialNumber=3[/img][/quote]
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