IRC and Bowsprits, or not?

Hi,

I'm interested in peoples coments and arguments regarding the impacts on IRC rating when one is comparing the rig configuration of:
-spinnaker pole only
-spinnaker pole and bow sprit (or articulating bowsprit)
-articulating bowsprit only

given that the boat in question was not built with a bowsprit.

Not currently rated under IRC, in fact not designed to a rule.
7 years old 40' light displ., cold molded WRC, beamy and stiff. Racing mostly offshore.

Thanks,
Rob

[gybeset]

IRC 2005 rules updates (go to rorcrating.com site) clears it up a bit,

I still wonder however if you have a canting sprit X long, does it get the same factor as a normal articulating pole

how much factor do you 'wear' for carrying your normal pole as well

is there an ( factor) advantage for getting rid of normal spinpole and having a a) centreline sprit seems so

b) is there an advantage of ridding boat of normal pole if you have a articulating (canting) Sprit

C) in the case of a or b is it worth pursuing ??

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just to muddy things further, how about factor diff of a shorter articulating Sprit versus a longer centreline (noncanting) Sprit , i,ve gotten rid of the normal kite pole now !!!