Mast Rotation?

I think the rake on my mast is good (haven't gotten a chance to put it on level ground, but it looks about right with standard rigging) but the mast can rotate freely when I push it to one side. As is, there is a significant gap between the bulb on the bottom of the mast and the mast step. Assuming that the rake is right, should I just tighten the shrouds, or have I screwed something else up? I have a Turbo rig with the Murray's rigging.

Also, if anyone has their mast down right now, could you measure how far up the mast the attachment point for the forestay is? I am trying to make sure that my used boat has not been modified at all. It may just be how new I am to the 14 (just 1 season on it), but that mast seems to sit awfully far out of its cup- step. I do have a "cookie" in the very bottom of the step. Any pics would be great.

Thanks so much,
Jon

I don't remember this for certain but I think the mast tang is just below the comp-tip. I think I had to rivet through the comp-tip when I installed it on my boat. It's not an exact measurement, but it should be in the ball park. Unless you don't have a comp-tip

Where exactly is the gap? And how much is significant?

I'm a beginning cat sailor who has sailed my basic H14 for about 1-1/2 summers. I've left the mast step pin in for every sailing(about 12-15 so far). Reading your discussion about mast rotation sparked a potentialy very stupid question: Is the mast step pin supposed to be removed while sailing? If so, how often(if ever) does the mast ball end jump out of the cup?

Thanks in advance for your help.

The mast step pin must be removed for sailing. Many people (including myself) remove the whole link to prevent it from being bent.

There is a significant gap between the mast base / mast step casting. As long as the rotation stops connect, it's fine. Don't worry about the mast jumping out of the step.