I am looking at a Daysailer II right now. It seems like a great boat, but I'm not sure if I need two boats. Anyway. I am all about D.I.Y. but every change is another can o' worms! Be careful and make sure you place a compression post underneath to bear the stress. Keep in mind your skill level and your budget. You'll need a tabernacle, a new foot to go in the tabernacle and shorten your mast. You don't want to regret your decision. Also by not going down through you may have a lot of extra strain on your shrouds and chainplates. Just my two cents.