TC...the Southern cross 31 and westsail 32 would be better in heavy weather than just about any other boats out there.....what leads you to the conclusion that they are unsafe in exterme conditions? Surely they are much better off that any fin keel boat! It is true there were poorly made double enders in the 70's all trying to be like the westsails. They were poorly designed and too heavy. On the other hand, one of the most popular performance cruisers out there...the Valiant
(40 & 42) is a double ender. The best part of a double ender if how easy it is to change the packing in the stuffing box
They also look so much better than a flat transom...or most swim platforms for that matter. On the SC31 the huge rudder hanging from the back of the boat is what does it for me.