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"