Yes the increase was all the way. First I checked that the whole in the deck plate, that is set in the deck would take a bigger size, which it just did. Then in the picture you see this is like a huge upside down "u" section also made of stainless, and in my case extremely thick. My increased size rod did not quite fit, so I inifact had to drilled it our a couple of mill. This U section in my case goes around one of the major ribs/frame of the boat. It basically holds the lower end of the rod, which comes down from the round deck plate that is bolted to the outside of the deck, then through the deck plate that is set in the deck, down through the upside down U and a large nut and lock nut goes on the end, where you can tighten it up. Note to my suprise the shaft that comes down was NOT 316. As I recall it was 308, which I had not seen before. The explanation I was given was to reduce the fracture component of 316, it was by design. Because I could not source 308 in Philippines, I used 304 trying to follow at least the mindset intent of the original material. I replaced both even though the other side was not damaged as far as I could see. I have had 3 fairly Maijor failures all have been at the weld points, one of which was a bad design.