The B&R (Bergstrom/Ridder) mast support system has been around for a long time (I think the 70's) and the first one's I have seen also used backstays. The systems you see today on later model Hunters do not have backstays and that raises questions as mentioned above. I do not know of any Hunter mast failures that I recall, so I guess it is not problematic for a boat considered to be a coastal cruiser at best or an inland classified vessel......."
We must try and get rid of the Bull S about B&R rigs without backstays on Hunters. What irks me is the throw away line above implying Hunters are only suitable for cruising around in sheltered waters:naughty:.
Hunters with this rig have circumnavigated.
All boats sold or entering European waters must have a CE classification. These classifications range from A to D. A being essentially for unrestricted sailing conditions and all the other categories for various conditions and waters in less than 40 knots of wind and 4 metre waves.
Hunter in common with most other current production yachts above 32 ft are manufactured to CE category A standards. (Catalina/Hunter/Beneteau/Jeanneau/Bavaria etc.) They are no different in this respect to the so called blue water yachts that everyone get excited about. They carry the same sort of gear (and that is what is liable to fail) like Selden masts and spars, furlex reefing, Lewmar/Harken deck gear and winches, Yanmar engines and so forth. Hunters also have lead fin keels and kevlar hull reinforcing. Underwater shapes are all very similar with wide flattish rear sections which beat the pants off old long keelers when reaching or going downwind. They are a lot cheaper because of volume production not lack of seaworthiness. Anyone that says otherwise is a snob, silly old fart or doesn't own a modern boat

I might also add in favour of the B&R rig that when my Furlex forestay broke last year the mast stayed up even without a backstay. I doubt any conventional arrangement would do so.
Attached please find a photo of the CE category A plate affixed to my 2004 Hunter 33 rendering it suitable for waves exceeding 4 metres and winds greater the 40 knots. It has had a bit of both with 45 knots and 5 m seas