Bob,
Thanks for your input. Hahne certainly makes some valid arguments.
I don't think anyone here is bashing masthead rigs. Most of us that own somewhat older designs from the 1970's 80's, and 90's are sailing masthead rig boats. I personally own one and am immensely pleased with the sailing performance of our boat.
I've also sailed extensively on fractional rig boats, one of which was equipped with runners. For the kind of sailing we do, I would never want another boat that relied on runners to keep the rig up. (Although our current boat requires runners for sailing in heavy weather under cutter rig, that is a rare inconvenience I can live with).
But that is not to say I'm blind to some of the advantages of and recent improvements to fractional rigs. Most notably, modern fractional rigs for cruising boats rarely require the use of running backstays. I think I mentioned earlier in this thread that my ideal dream boat would be fractionally rigged, primarily to simplify sailhandling (it would also have a sprit with a masthead Code 0 or gennaker-type sail, but that's another thread.) In the meanwhile, I'll be happily sailing along in our very capable masthead rig.
