Mike,

Yes I see and that may work for my application. I will be mounting a “post” in a bulkhead that will come up through the deck for a mast step. Since this is all inches over my head I’m looking for a proven system. That gives me enough meat to fabricate off of. Is the ring a collar or washer? Interesting no type of hinge now I see why this boat was selected for an Olympic event.

Can anybody tell me if this a weak point of the design, the mast foot - step should I look for something else? With all of race time for the tornados under extreme conditions any word do these break?

What is the trick for stepping the mast besides having a carbon mast? I’m sure there are many stories.

Thanks for the pictures it is a great help.

Mike Shappell