[Jeff_H]

Hi Denr,

I did not get the point that your were making when you said, "Think of a keel stepped mast as having one more point of support compared to one that is deck stepped."

With a moment connection on a deck stepped mast, you are equally likely as a keel stepped mast to keep the mast if a shroud parts, or a mast stub if the mast does fail but if you need to jetison it you have half chance of doing that quickly.

Changing over to a deck stepped mast with a moment connection is pretty easy to accomplish the way that my boat was constructed and so is a very real and not terribly expensive option but you are right could be substantially more difficult on other designs and on a boat that does not need its deck painted anyway.

Respectfully,
Jeff