Another new owner looking for help

[V2-24451]

Greetings folks,

New owner of Venture 24 with popup. Drilled holes in stbd aft stringer appear to be 451. Title says 1972. I know I buy the pizza, check is in the mail.

I am looking for information about the composition of the deck under mast plate. It had a rubber mat and organizer plate. ( old style, is this stock or upgrade ) there was some cracks coming out, didn’t really concern me, based on comments about cracking in this area. Did not see any working while tacking. PO said had been there for years ( prior to his ownership )and had not noticed em growing. I am upgrading to a mast raising system. When I pulled up the rubber mat. There is some breakage of cabin top. Area between fwd mast bolts broke up for about a 1/4 inch width. Can see wood. Appears to be bondo ish. Tapping has separation under the mast plate footprint. Underneath is a backing plate 8”x 13” x 1/8”. Was this builder provided ? Based on comments read about lack of reinforcement on other boats, this seems like a lot. So previous repair and bigger backing plate holding it together ?

Thanks

[chipveres]

My Mac 22 has a wood support post directly under the mast, braced by a half-bulkhead. Is yours similar?
Chip V.

[V2-24451]

Greetings,
Thank for replying.

Yes, post and half bulkhead. Post is approximately 2 1/4” x 2 1/4”

[V2-24451]

Addendum to

The backing plate mentioned above is between cabin top ( underside )and the supporting post.