I hope it's not a problem ...I cut out the backside of my mast 2" high by 3/4" wide to allow for the VHF antenna wire to run down through the center of the mast plate and not get in the way when I raise/lower the mast. It's still standing. Joe Seafrog M17 ----- Original Message ----- From: "James Poulakis" <picfo@comcast.net> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 7:15 PM Subject: M_Boats: Mast Base Radius Spirit is a 2008 M17 with the newer Dwyer mast and fixed spreaders. Because of the way the mast base is configured, the rig cannot be raised/lowered with the shrouds attached and tensioned properly. This was discussed in a recent thread and Gary H explained how he cut a bevel or radius in the mast base that corrected this flaw. I understand the concept and it makes sense. However, it also means cutting away a fair amount of the mast base that spreads its load on the deck plate. I think this SHOULD be okay. But I want to make sure I understand the project completely BEFORE I start cutting a chunk out of my mast soÂ… 1) Gary could you please e-mail me a picture of the finished product? 2) Do any of you boatbuilders, engineers, and physicists see this modification creating a stress / structural / safety problem? (I know for a fact that there is at least one of each of those professions in this marvelous group). Thanks, Jim _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet!