Mast Foot Water Escape Hole

[Sergy]

Mast foot
I have just removed my 50 foot deck stepped mast for upgrade to new standing rigging (27years)
I am considering drilling a 3/16” hole at the bottom of mast to allow rain water to escape when collecting in side of the mast but I am not sure if this is a bad idea may allow more sea air in to corrode or weaken foot of mast what does experience out there have to recommend

[gonesail]

there's a hole at the bottom of my keel stepped mast that prevents water from collecting there.

[hugosalt]

My mast step created a pool for water, so I filled with foam...waterproofed the top...
creating a dome...and then drilled a 1/8" hole on each side of the mast slightly higher
so water can drain.
Do not know if this is recommended or accepted practice (drilling holes in mast)

[Sergy]

Thanks for the advice

[Prerequisite]

I read a post a while back that mentioned using a lamp wick in the mast foot. Any water (it should never be very much) would wick over the lip of the foot and drip into the bilge. I haven't seen it done, but it seems plausible.

[Joli]

Drill the hole, better then having water sitting there.

[barnakiel]

What the hell, drill it!

;-)