Hi Bill, Thanks for the suggestion of using the mast as the support for the bird feeder, but that will make our friends, the squirrels - mad. I've built a platform feeder, with roof, and the antics of our four legged, grey furry birds with the long tails as they each claim their part of the feeder is enough to get the day started properly, with ear to ear grins. The main purpose of the bird feeder is to feed squirrels. The birds get theirs elsewhere. My squirrels have also discovered a great love for M15s. With the winter cover over the boat, they have built nests in the corner between deck and cockpit coaming - snug as a bug on an M15! Now there's a use that Jerry probably never imagined! I don't mind that, I just wish that they wouldn't sharpen their teeth on my black jam cleats.......... Connie