Yay!!

I was thinking there is no structural reason to replicate the original step and had similar concerns about proper water drainage you just mentioned. I may route a little groove on the bottom to allow water to escape without pooling in the step. Thank you for investigating. Now I can't decide if the step is a consumable because of eventual deterioration and therefore ok to varnish and replace every 5 years or should I try to fabricate something permanent and epoxy/fair it in. I'll go with consumable for now. It's and easy "make" as far as I can see. My boats previous owner already rerouted the electrical to a separate fitting on deck next to the mast. Sadly he never epoxied the drill holes and I now have rot in that location (among others because of his half baked installs).