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. The B&R rig does have more adjustable components which makes it more of a pain to tune and much of it has to be done aloft. The spreaders are swept WAY back to triangulate the mast support to eliminate the backstay. One problem with this is you cannot push the boom as far forward on a run as you can on most other boats. This means you will sail on the lee quicker than the average boat, which means you cannot sail as deep downhill. Hunter sales people will say that gybing downwind is faster than sailing dead down wind, which can be true, but if you are sailing down a channel, or between obstructions, this will be a detriment in my opinion.
If you sail offshore in extreme conditions, a backstay becomes a much more important piece of equipment. Going through big waves, especially to weather, can result in a boat pitching and a mast that pumps (that's why some have baby stays), but it is not al that simple. There are a number of different kinds of masts and mast designs.
Many small daysailors do not have backstays. But, consider how they are used.
A backstay certainly is not something you would remove because you have seen other boats without them. And if you have one, then consider yourself lucky and maybe you will sleep a little better.
