[mike dryver]

Hi datswite My mast is also like yours, except the crack, everything welded to it! I have a Gulfstar 37, and the compression tube seized around the shrouds bolt, then decided to break away from the mast entry point on both sides. The tube was welded to the mast on either side, with the tube protruding about a 1/4 " either side! What I going to do is use a grinder to get down to mast base metal, then use a hole saw to open the hole to fit a larger diameter tube, and have that welded in place, then sleeve the tube for the bolt.
I know your frustration as I have been thinking of how to fix this for some time, and figured this is the only way out!