Hey guys this is my first post but I've been stalking on here for a couple years. But anyhow..

I'm replacing my mast step and have read how to but what worry's me is the fact that I think this will be the third mast step on the crossbeam and the holes that are there are wallered out from previous drilling. I was thinking welding them but the heat treatment is an issue.

So now I'm down to either just putting six rivets (3 in the front and 3 in the rear) in it and hoping that the outer rivets hold

Using bigger rivets then recommended

or buying a new crossbeam which I can't afford right now.

What do you think guys?

btw my mast base has crap for threads where the dolphin striker screws in, are they all that way? or do i need to tap it?