Spreader length limit question

[mariner2k]

Once your spreader length and angles are figured, is there any harm in going longer if there is room to grow?
Thanks, Kevin

[Ian McColgin]

Probably not since that should just slightly reduce the stress. But why?

Some boats have longer spreaders due to their narrow beam, like my Marco Polo with a ten foot beam and spreaders that were 4-9 each side. Normally you might do well to figure that the NA designing the boat had something in mind, and spreading the spreaders is most likely fatuous.