Rigging Design

Could anybody explain the reasoning of using outriggers to support the rig on some single handed ocean going boats - such as Sill.

Guessing that the wider platform gives a number of benefits :

1, Being wider and with a "prodder", some of the shroud load can be converted into sideways compression load instead of tension "up" load. 

2, Gets the side rigging/shrouds out of the way and so you can have more room around the boat for running rigging / lines etc

3, Further benefit of having the side rigging/shrouds further away from the boat you create a larger set of triangles to move the load around and generally provide more stability - this may also help with some of the boats that use wing masts (maybe)

Just my late night Sunday guesses...

Most keelboat and offshore rules don't allow you to adjust rig tension while racing, as it is thought likely to cause accidents. I don't know enough about the Open 60 rule to say whether this applies to them. 

I was wondering if the wide base that this system provides maens no need for spreaders and hence a rotating mast can be used.  We really need an expert to clear this up. 

Meanwhile - yes 49ers are allowed to adjust rig tension whilst afloat but make no provision for it, so you have to take out a block and tackle and take up the tension temporarily on a trapeze wire - not a very safe idea and probably never invisaged by the designer.  If you want to see a boat where the rig tension is really played about with whist sailing have a look at the RS400 or for a more extreme example have a look at a Scorpion or Merlin.