Spruce Spar Repair

[sainted]

Folks,

I just acquired a 1981 Cheoy Lee 38 with spruce spars. Overall, the spar seems to be in pretty good shape, but there is a spot at the base of the spar where the pervious owner has squished in some epoxy. When I probe around this area, the wood is soft. The area is about 2" wide by 5" tall. The rest of the spar seems ok, at least at the base.

I imagine that I can scarf in a hunk of spruce with some thickened west system. I would taper the interface and all that. Should I replace the entire bottom of the mast (on general principals? Any other thoughts?

Thanks!

Scott