It appears I could have changed it sooner, like 5 years ago.

If you look at the photo closely you can see that it was held by a tiny fraction of the plate. Only about the size of a pencil eraser.

We were motor sailing along in 30 knot of wind at 20 degrees off the bow and large confused seas. Rey was on watch and heard a loud BANG and thought we hit something.

I came up and noticed a loose shroud. I grabbed the wire and pulled it out of the deck. Made it the rest of the way ( 50 miles ) to San Andres.