Seafarer 31 masthead arrangement.

[Rob Groves]

I bought a Seafarer 31 (a fixer-upper) and the masthead piece - the stainless fabrication that carries the main halyard sheaves - does not completely cover the oval of the mast leaving a considerable portion open to the elements. Is this by design?

 

[Windborne]

I don't personally know about Seafarer but my experience with masthead fittings is that they fully cover over the top of the aluminum mast extrusion.