Wooden Mast Partners

[dwkentsr]

The inside diameter of my bronze mast collar is 8 1/2 inches. The wooden mast OD is 6 1/2 inches. The mast step is 6 inches of mahogany glassed to the keel. I am ready to build the partners ( beef up the underside of the deck), cut the hole in the deck and install the collar but I am concerned that 1 inch of play all the way around between the mast and the partners is too much. Should the collar and matching hole in the deck perhaps be 7 1/2 inch? I plan on using soft wood wedges with a lip that rests on the collar perimeter to fill the gap

Mast step https://picasaweb.google.com/1037251...41543135555858

Mast Collar https://picasaweb.google.com/1037251...66947373755730

https://picasaweb.google.com/1037251...66949191698098

Thanks
David Kent
www.bccrebuild.blogspot.com