Mast Pivot

I have removed the shroud bases and bolts. Bronze bolts and aluminum block makes a create weld material. Any tips on removing the mast step from the deck? The ss bolts are frozen to the aluminum step.

Are the two slotted machine bold stuck or the two shoulder bolts that bolt the mast to the base. I would take the 3/8" nuts off the bottom off the mast base at the compression post. Then put some 3/8 nc nuts on the the bolts to protect the treads then just hammer them out from the inside. Chances are it is just stuck in the deck. Check the deck under the mast base carefully. The plywood between the liner and the deck was rotted on my boat. No big deal to fix.

I have removed both shroud bases and the mast step. The wood in the mast step looked like brand new except one had some water stain but was dry. Both shroud bases were soaked. I have caulked the outside openings and it seams to be fairly dry. The wood in the shroud bases seams solid. I plan to drill large holes and fill with West System and high density filler and then drill small holes for the bolts. That way if it leaks I know the wood will stay dry. I plan to put tef 45 antiseize to stop the corrosion on the aluminum block.

Tighten the forestay down before you tighten the mast base nuts..... opposite when taking down the mast. Then measure shrouds on each side from shroud base pin to top of swage. Make sure lowers and uppers are equal to each other. Then tighten mast base nuts. Then visually verify if mast is in column. Adjust to fine tune. Then adjust shroud tensions to support your current mainsail. Spinn halyard isn't a reliable method. Shroud base measurement seems best.