What should you be looking for when inspecting the mast step and mast base, and why does this area deserve particular attention on an older boat?

A. The mast step never requires inspection since it is fully enclosed and inaccessible

B. The mast step is where the full compression load of the rig is transferred into the hull or keel — corrosion (especially where a metal mast base sits on or near standing water, or crevice corrosion where the mast meets its step) can weaken this critical load path over time, often out of sight below the cabin sole or deck

C. Mast step inspection is only relevant for masts that are deck-stepped, never for keel-stepped masts

D. The mast step carries no significant structural loading compared with the rigging itself

A. Standing rigging never needs visual inspection between full professional rig surveys

B. A visual and hands-on check running your hand along each wire and swage fitting, feeling for broken strands ("meat hooks") that can snag skin or clothing, and looking closely at swage terminals and clevis pins for cracking, corrosion, or bending — done regularly, this catches many developing problems well before a full professional rig check

C. Rigging checks are only relevant immediately before an ocean passage, never for coastal sailing

D. Standing rigging is designed to never show any visible sign of wear before failure

A. Chafe only ever occurs on rigging over 10 years old

B. Chafe often occurs at specific repeated contact points — through a block, over a spreader tip, at a clutch or jammer — and can progressively weaken a line internally or in a way that isn't obvious from a casual glance at the visible outer sheath, so checking the specific high-wear points (not just the general condition of the line) matters

C. Modern synthetic line materials are entirely immune to chafe damage

D. Chafe is a cosmetic issue only, with no effect on a line's working strength