Arne,
You are right, Ilvy's mast is a good cruising mast! That's what I wanted and what I designed it to be. I'm glad it worked out so well. Nevertheless, I simply find it interesting to understand the phaenomena behind her performance - which doesn't necessarily mean I want to change the rig ;-)
I really pushed Ilvy's rig to some limits, at least to the limits which are available to put her to. Two weeks ago, she hit 8.1 kn on a beam reach, that's about 2 kn above hull speed. It felt like she really wanted to take off and glide away, if it was'nt for her weight and round belly. The battens were bending a bit, but nothing to be afraid of. The mast was bending a bit, but still within what I consider safe. Of course that was flat sea conditions - I do not claim to have any serious offshore experience, and simply am not able to test her in those conditions.