The forward beam is not a mast section. The interior has a different profile. Much thicker walls. An oval shape inside. The mast section would bend under the mast loads. (Been there... during R&D days)
Thanks Matt. That is what we needed to know.
Jack Woehrle Hobie Wave #100, Tiger Shark III HCA-NA 5022-1 USSailing 654799E Alachua FL/Put-In-Bay