Hi Swiebertje / Colin – My welder friend has a commercial welding shop and is Asme certified etc so no problems there. He’s welded cast iron, bronze castings etc for me in the past as well. Has anyone welded around the sleeve before (ie a fillet weld all round) and should this help?
Don’t worry about racing – I’ve sailed for 45 years now and never won a race though I did pick up a prize for”good attendance” in my Laser dinghy!! Robert