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When I redid my step 10 years ago Rig-Rite in RI had a ready made replacement. Very likely the bottom of the mast is also corroded. It isn’t obvious until you full the mast as the bottom is set down into the step and not visible. When I pulled mine the bottom 2-3″ was almost gone. Can you say Swiss Cheese? Rig-Rite offered a replacement that raised the step enough to compensate for cutting the bottom off the mast which I highly recommend. Gets the base of the mast off the floor of the bilge. I made my own replacement step and it was pretty easy. Purchase a couple of blocks of UHMWPE. Screwed a 3″ block onto the bottom of the bilge, took a 2″ rectangle a couple of inches wider and longer than the oval shape of the mast. Cut the mast oval out of that block and screwed it into the new 3″ higher base. To allow for wear I put a 1/4″ AL plate between the two blocks so the mast base would sit on the AL. 5-6 years and a few thousand miles, no problems.
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I made my own step, completely, all parts. Didn’t use the Rig-Rite. If I recall I thought it was very overpriced and I liked my design better.
Mine from bottom up.
3″ thick base of UHMWPE
1/4″ 6061 Al plate for the mast to sit on
Doughnut of UHMWPE, forget how thick but 2-3″
– Doughnut hole matches profile of the mast
– Doughnut rectangular on the outside, not round, to match the base.I used long bronze lag bolts to bolt the 3″ base through the glass into the encapsulated lead keel.
I isolated the AL plate from the bronze bolts to avoid the galvanic reaction between the dissimilar metals.
Cut drain holes in the sides of the doughnut (matching notches in the base of the mast) to keep out standing water.If you want more details I can send a drawing of the construction.
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