Folks - Thanks for the helpful replies. The wood plug was in the base of the mast. I got that out yesterday. It was only a 10 inches or so long and came out without too much fuss.

The step still confuses me. You can't pivot the mast, since there's no slot anywhere - rotating the mast just jams the foot into the bottom of the step. Strange.

Anyway, I'm replacing the standing rigging and step with more "standard" stuff I got from Seal.

:: I looked at a 1972 boat in Monterey with a similar mast
:: step. Instead of a hinged step bracket, the bottom front
:: of the mast was cut away to allow it to tabernacle
:: forward to clear bridges.
::
:: Which end has the wood plug?
::
:: :: Is it perhaps a tabernacling mast?
:: ::
:: :: :: Folks -
:: ::
:: :: :: My wife and I purchased a 1968 S-22 about two years ago,
:: :: :: and its time to replace standing rigging and generally
:: :: :: check out the rig. There are a few wierd things about
:: :: :: this rig that we've found out. Wierd thing #1 is that
:: :: :: the mast step is a pivoting arrangement, rather than the
:: :: :: short extrusion style mast step I've seen described on
:: :: :: this forum and elsewhere. Wierd thing #2 is that
:: :: :: somewhere along the way, someone jammed a wood plug up
:: :: :: this mast. There are lots of other wierd things on this
:: :: :: boat as you can imagine. I'm wondering if anyone out
:: :: :: there can comment on whether this is a standard mast
:: :: :: step arrangement for an older S-22, and what the devils
:: :: :: up with this wood plug? Also, if anyone out there has
:: :: :: some photos of a S-22 mast step, spreader attachment,
:: :: :: and masthead weldment (where the halyard sheaves are)
:: :: :: that they could post, I'd appreciate a look before I
:: :: :: start plugging away at this project. Thanks -
:: :: ::
:: :: :: Hans & Amanda
:: ::
:: :: :: "Mardi Gras"