I decided to postpone the stepping of the mast, as once I had unwrapped it following the shipment from USA, I spotted a few bubbles in the paint around the trysail track, and a few dings from the transport, so I've decided to completely strip the mast, sand every blemish down to the aluminium, and paint it.

I'm using 'Interprotect' epoxy primer from International Paint, followed by International 'Perfection' topcoat which is a two pack polyurethane.

Even though I haven't sailed the boat since she came all the way over from San Francisco, I'd be an idiot to step the mast knowing that there's work to be done on it, so it's head down and get on with it.....