Same thing happened to me last weekend. Sailing with friend in gulf of Triest in light bora wind, 2 ft waves. All of a sudden front cross bar brakes in two. My (EU) wave is 10 year old and has accumulated 160 sailing days so far.
I am surprised reading that French design has an issue here. I thought wave was an American design even if dispatched from Toulon, France. Ok if sail colour is different here but there should be no cost reduction on the most vital parts of the boat like mast step or cross bar.
I send some photos. Please feel free to comment.
Matt, is this I-beam or thick extrusion?
I fully agree with Lizzard that that bolt is problematic.
Can any of you share a photo of mast step of american wave?