The base is welded and there are two "L" shaped brackets, also welded between the base and the upright, to give lateral strength I would assume. The upright has a gentle curving bend to it, pointing forward. I was down at the boat yesterday looking further at things, the same stanchion is also bent inward slightly, the stanchion on the starboard side is straight up fore/aft and side to side. I'm thinking this is out of my DIY ability.