Broke the mast! Would like your advice!

[Fcolon01]

Over the weekend I made a huge rookie mistake... When checking a chain plate on the port side I did not secure the mast and had it fall over the starboard side.
Thank God the mast did not bend! But did blow through one of the drill holes at the base of the mast. The plate at the step up got completely bet.
So I need to buy a new step up plate... the question is WHAT TO DO WITH THE MAST???
The mast did not bend but one of the holes at the bottom, for the through bolt, broke. Should I do a sleeve repair or should I cut the mast down an inch and re-drill??

Thank you for your input!

 

[Nils T]

Could you post a couple photos!

 

[CCrane2299]

I remember reading about cutting an inch off and raising the mast step an inch. When done this way its all solid and the standing rigging is unchanged.

 

[CloudDiver]

I agree with what Crane said; Saw exactly 1 inch off and then get the Mast Step Shim Kit; The Capri 18 uses the same mast step as the 22, so the same shim kit should work;
http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm/product/1711_28/mast-step-shim-kit-c-22-85.cfm
When sawing use a Miter Box to get a good square cut. You can easily make a simple Miter Box from scrap lumber rather than buy one.

A weld repair on the mast is usually out of the question when it is anodized, the heat will destroy the anodized finish. Plus, the wall thickness is so thin it probably won't like heat and could distort. I'm a pretty good TIG welder, but Aluminum is whole different beast.

I remember reading about cutting an inch off and raising the mast step an inch. When done this way its all solid and the standing rigging is unchanged.