Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
IMHO, If your boat has a pop-top, you may want to think twice about the hinge plate. Any elevation of surface area behind the mast step to the cockpit requires that you keep the mast elevated more at the stern in order to insert the pin in that hinge. If your primary focus is the block attachment points, you can get that plate, which goes under your present mast step, without having to replace the whole thing. Depends also on how often you intend/need to raise and lower your mast.
Thanks for the input. I looked at my mast base with it set in my position to raise the mast. Today the back end of the mast rests on the bottom of the mast step. I am not even close to the poptop hatch. I like this because it seems to be much more sturdy then the current mast step. I am also looking at putting in at multiple locations in the coming years and possibly in areas where dropping the mast while underway will be required.
In another thread, there is discussion about setting the rig to drop it forward to go under bridges, using the boom and mainsheet for leverage. Those who do it that way must think it is easier. I've never tried it that way. You might want to check it out before you buy the step.
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.