Pivoting spreaders on wooden mast (good or evil)

[jary]

Its more likely to be my odd explanation rather than the rig being that odd.

The rig is pretty close to the 'Lyle Hess Cutter' described in The Riggers Apprentice (p127-128). But the upper spreaders have two pairs of intermediates that are attached to the mast at the upper spreader mast fitting.

The first set of intermediates follow the upper shroud over the lower spreader to the deck.

The second set lead directly to a chain plate several inches back from the aft lowers and help support the inner forestay. I believe these are called aft lead intermediates?
There's also a set of running backstays.

Hopefully that makes more sense.

I've taken the previous advice and got a professional rigger coming down in the next few days for a look. So hopefully he will be able to see what's going on.

Cheers Jary Nemo