There was a change to the mast step which added a few small holes that would capture the chip which pushed down into the step. That really changed the durability of the chips and captured then in the cup even when trailering. Chips should last a long time is not moving around in the step casting.
In the early 80s we changed the step to allow for rake and again around 2004 we came out with another changed base and step casting set. The 2004 version allows even more rake, has larger stops and matched surfaces for less wear in contact points. The step cup also has small holes drilled in it that are called a "chip keeper". The chip presses into the recesses and grips the chip in place. They don't squeeze out when sailing or fall out during transport. Really cool idea by Dan Ketterman. Works great.
mmiller wrote:
Place a used chip in the cup and draw a line around the diameter.
Drill 5/6 holes within the chip diameter. They just need to be indented... not deep to work. The Teflon creeps into each hole under pressure and that locks the chip in place.
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