Ebb,
For the last two weeks I've been hunting around for the stem fitting. I have no idea on how I could have been so idiotic as to lose it. I thought I nailed it down yesterday. In the rafters above the boat. Nope. While I was up there and mad to boot I figured I'd have nothing to lose...so I tried your scientific approach. Happy to report she's sound as a Pound.

Still confused, Tony G