I recommend at the hound add a wear plate using 18 guage stainless. Attach with 4 small rivets and bed with 4200. 18 guage can be form bent by hand to fit the mast. the suggestion about using a pigtail is good but the wear plate will protect the mast and remedy the current problem. The black marks are the result of how the boat was trailered in the past. Clean up the best you can and live with it.