core rot

My first boat and first post hope it’s in the right location. this is a hunter 23, 86’ I believe. It has the Kenyon boom, double pin flat mast attachment(not the triangle one) point. four areas on the hill above the waterline have significant flex paired with some crackling when pushed. They...

I am planning on replacing my rotten mast step and the core in the deck around it on a 78 Hunter 30'. Does anyone know if the rounded "T" shape of the raised step has structural importance? Could the deck be smooth here? It would loose about .5 of height, adding slack to my stays. I am also...