Fairwind,
I believe that you are mistaken. The set up that I described above (a moment connected base plate that is moment connected to a structural kingpost) when properly engineered has been used fairly routinely. My former boat, a Laser 28 for example had just that set up (although in its case the base plate also included a
hinge allowing the mast step to act a tabernacle as well.)
Farr's office thinks that this can be done reasonably easily on my current 38 foot boat, which they designed. Except for minor rotational loads, which should be taken out with some minor deck reinforcing where the partners used to be, a properly designed baseplate and a stiff enough kingpost, the loads exerted on the deck are no different than they would be for a keel stepped spar that has engineered to include partners as a panel point in the design. That design would be a simple thru bolted connection and would not include a tabernacle.
Respectfully,
Jeff
