When I hauled Mikhaya in Nov-Dec 2003, I checked the
mast support pole out.  Here is what I found at the base support block.

     The complete bottom of the support block at the pole base was half missing.   It looked as though the fiberglass had wasted away on one side of the base.  It might of never had fiberglass at all.  The main reason for checking the base pole was that the deck plate was depress slightly and I wanted to raise the pole about 1/2," and provide a solid foundation.  This procedure worked with the boat on the hard.

        
     In order to check out the base of the pole I had to cut off the top of the fiberglass housing.

      Once the top was off (dusty job) I could see that the pole base was depressed.  Although I could see the top base pad, I couldn't really do anything about it.  I needed to cut off another 3/4" of the fiber glass.

       The Dremel tool was great for cutting the top off.  Just the right size for getting in there under the sole.

       Now, that's more like it.  This would enable me to raise the pole and slip some 3" x 7" aluminum spacers in between the pole pad and the teak wood block (at least Pearson did use teak).  I thought about completely replacing the teak block with aluminum but the block was in good shape and I made myself NOT fix what's not broken.  All that was needed with some additional height.

       
    So I decided to use my car jack and some wood from the yard to raise the pole.  I was able to jack up the aluminum pole (force from inside top) enough to slip in three aluminum plates at the base.

      I could feel the deck indention rising and the deck mast plate flatten out.  I guess I raised it about 1/2" overall.

      The mast deck plate was physically sound.  It just needed a good cleaning.  Pearson originally intended the center tube to be used for the mast wiring.  My cable wiring (two spreader lights, steaming light, anchor light, VHF Antenna and Wind Indication) would not all fit down the tube.  The two 3/4" holes on the deck to the port side of mast, carried all the mast cables.  The center tube would be used later for the lightning cable.

    I chose to replace the deck plate screws due to bending and corrosion. It is tight working in this area. I tried to pry up the deck plate during a moment of dumbness, but I stopped just in time to notice that it was fiber glassed down to the deck and the holes were lined up just they way they should be.  Don't fix it if it's not broke.

     I filled up the screw holes with marine caulk and bolted them down one-by-one.  Lots of trips up and down.

     The deck plate was not in bad shape.  I wire brushed it down and sanded it up to a smooth finish.  After tapping up the area I painted it with left over appliance paint from the stove painting project.  Came out real well.  The upper section of the plate will be covered with the mast "boot."

Remaining issues are:

• Re-glass the base plate support post,

• Rework the mast cable deck holes and cable covers,

• Step the mast.

This project was accomplished with the Mast Down and on the hard.  For undertaking this task with the Mast Up see the owner's project article for the Mast Post.