Does the year of manufacture make much difference?

[Andrew]

I ran Terias very old 10hp johnson 2 stroke outboard for years, until the final repair bill was just too much to bear.
Then upgraded to new 6hp Tohatsu sailpro 4 stroke few years ago (huge fuel saving, quieter, less weight, good prop and batt charger)

Like your telescopic mast crutch design, Teria could do with one like that.

but our (record) wet season is over for NthQld (got over 2,000mm in 3 months!) and dry sailing season has finally begun..! Boat Mods may have to go on back burner awhile.

[Phil1]

Happy sailing! The timber crutch is some leftover Oregon I had, plus steel tube I had lying around. The steel tube needs to be replaced with aluminum. Its heavy and over engineered for the requirement.