Bruce,
On Fast Company we added three 1x Ipe to each side of the cross piece and glued them all together. Then replaced the plank w 5/4 Ipe. Ipe is heavy but very dense and will not rot.
Dale,
We have about three feet of space between the bridle ring to the pole and use 3/16 Dyneema. We sail in heavy air a lot so our fore guy is split and is just forward and outside the hatch. I plan on making them movable to the mast base as well.