Thank you David. Yes, you make me think about solution to evacuate the water just above the mast step. My mast step is adjusted to the tube and i have not other choice to close the tube just a level of the mast step with a drain, I do not know yet well.

But I still have a lot of questions to solve ... and my means are weak. What suits the spirit of junk rig is not it? ;)

Julien, 
what sort of rig are you planning?

Arne

Julien,

I have made drains at the mast steps on all my boats, but I guess that is mainly because both my mast steps and masts used to be made of plywood and spruce. I don’t think an aluminium mast will corrode away, even if sitting in a puddle of water, in particular not if the mast tube (and step) has been anodised. My last two (lower part of the) masts has been of un-treated aluminium. Today I would recommend painting such masts with two-pot polyurethane paint (over etch-primer).

The un-treated aluminium leaves a line of black stain on the sail. In addition, my guess is that a painted mast is smoother, and thus reduces friction when hoisting and lowering the sail, so that is another reason for painting.

As for condensation on the alu. mast below deck. I haven’t noticed that, but I am sure, if I were to live on board and needed to heat the boat, the warmer, humid air would condensate on the cold mast. For that  -  but mainly for comfort reasons, I have insulated the mast with bubble plastic, a layer of PVC, and now finally, a knitted woollen coat.

Arne

PS: On my present boat I have (for the first time) strapped the mast to the mast step, both to prevent it from jumping out, and from rotating.

PPS: To avoid problems with noise or other problems in the mast step:

Could it be an idea to cut out a 2-4mm thick gasket from rubber, which fits exactly in the hole of the mast step? This should prevent metal-to-metal contact (= noise). I haven’t tried it myself...

Hello and thank you for your answers Arne and David,

Maybe I will actually cut an aluminum sole for the step mast. I also like the idea of ​​the wooden heel but it seems more complicated for me and in my configuration. And i understand that the mast must absolutly not move with an aluminum sole in the bottom. I really adjusted the step mast both side to side . Will remain to maintain strong it up and down.

Thank you again for your answers. I will not fail to complete my profile once the conversion is successful ... but not before, seafarer superstition requires :)