Ahoy! Roof Experts

[ChiefChris]

Neal - the ridge bears no down load...it does bear the rafters - but only laterally. You can, in actuality, have rafter top-plumb cuts bearing on each other (back to front) and have the same load transfer as you would with a ridge....see image attached - you do not need a ridge structurally to hold the rafters up - they will support themselves against each other - what the ridge does is keep them laterally.

Allen, it is code now - with the 2006 codes you can't do a cathederal ceiling like that without collar ties within the upper 2/3 of the "attic" area. UNLESS you have it approved by an engineer, or specifically calculate the net and actions on that rafter system. (R802.5 and sub charts).

But - it's all subject to interpretation...