I do not think the mast bases changed.

By "pin", if you mean the hinge pin, it is not working when the mast is rigged and when sailing--it only takes the load of raising and lowering the mast.

There is a locating pin in the base of the mast that does the work to keep the mast base in place when sailing. Theoretically you could take the hinge pin out while sailing.

If you have any concerns about your mast base (or mast), call Buzz at Ballenger. He has or can make all the parts for our rigs. I just had him make me a new headstay and backstay.

Which is a good reminder for everyone: inspect your headstay (top & bottom) regularly--the original rigs have no toggle at the top of the headstay, and flogging jibs and floppy headstays lead to failures at the top swage where you can't easily see them. My last headstay was broken nearly halfway through when I got lucky and noticed.

Buzz mentions that most backstay failures in our types of boats are below deck, so be sure to inspect your entire backstay tackle carefully. If the tackle fails, you can lose your rig.

--brendan

:: I have hull 10 with the original mast. Does anyone know
:: if at a later date the mast base has been beefed up? My
:: pin seems small and just wondering if the new ones are
:: bigger.
::
:: Thanks

:: Don