spreaders, shrouds, and trigonometry

[Brion Toss]

Hi again,
Aft-led intermediates. Yuck. and still a double-spreader rig. Further yuck. The lower spreaders are almost decorative, as the angle of the uppers over them is, as you note, very shallow. If I were me I'd move the intermediates to the spreaders (chainplates in line with the ones for the uppers), and add one-part runners instead.
As for through-bars, well-designed ones are no problem at all. Sure, you need to make a good-sized hole in the mast, but it is in a region that is disinclined to buckle (supported section of a column).
Fair leads,
Brion Toss