Removing mast play at thru-deck collar

Santeria was fashioned with a 9 1/2" by 13" piece of black rounded rubber 7 ply steel radial mat (see image) to help reduce mast flexing (fore-aft and port-starboard) when sailing to wind under heavy seas. The problem here was several fold:

• The gap is anywhere between 1/8 to 1/4" on any given side
• Its rubber and not rigid enough for my liking
• Its impossible  to control water (bow waves or rain water) from enter the cabin when the mast is flexing

The theory: 

• create a better platform to help reduce water
• reduce the flex potential

The replacement (show left). This is some leftover Meranti Mahogany from my previous winter projects. I ran it through a thickness planer and patterned it based on the old rubber piece.

On the cabin-side of the deck, the new plate will be further supported by mahogany blocking...not quite yet fabricated...