I think it would, but a compression post under the mast might take care of that portion of it but then you need to consider how it will effect the chainplates. One of my friends was talking to Rudy of D&R Marine about this and Rudy claims that when the boat is placed in the water, the effects of the water pressing all around the hull can cause the stays to lose some tension. I've never really thought about this before. I do know that the chainplates have a tendency to move at times because of the tremendous strain on them when the boat is sailing on tacks. It stands to reason that if they didn't move, they would never leak. My chainplates are mounted to the bulkhead on my boat. I had to beef the bulkhead up with oak boards bolted to the settees in order to make my chainplates a little more solid. Then I had to have flat plates welded over my chainplates and bolt them through the deck to keep the water out and make them more solid. You may be better off paying a marine surveyor to check it out before you decide to make any type of modification that concerns the bulkhead.
I made a few changes to the interior of my boat a couple of years ago. My friend Chuck had stained all the woodwork in his OD 222 "Get Away" with a dark red Mahogany and I liked it so much that I did mine over the same way. That job involved removing every stick of wood from the cabin. While I was at it I replaced that putrid fiberglass galley sink and stove compartment with a new stainless steel sink and a steam table pan for under the stove. I was able to move my stove up a little higher and reclaim a space under it for my pots and pans. In the process, I built a shelf over the galley and moved the water pump faucet over to the left away from the stove. I also installed a swing out bull horn near my companionway for my VHF. Chuck did some beautiful work on "Get Away." If you're ever up around Bass Island PIB Kevin, keep your eyes peeled for her. We lost Chuck a couple of years ago and brother Rick is sailing her now. He lives and works on that island. If you ever meet up with him, tell him that "Joe from the East Coast" said Hi.I've thought about modifying the interior layout, but kinda like the seperation on my 22.
