How did I crack a stanchion base?

[OrangeCrush]

I’m about to rebed my stanchion bases and I noticed a crack in one. At first I figured it must have been all that leverage from someone leaning on it hard... and then I thought maybe it was full of water that froze and cracked it...

But if that’s the case then why doesn’t that happen all the time? There’s nowhere for water to escape below the lower set screw.

I’m using Bed-It butyl tape and following Mainesail’s instructions. Should I put a plug of caulk in there to displace the water or is this not an issue?

[deblen]

Ice would be my guess. I would drill a 3/16" drain hole as far below the lower cross bolt hole as possible to ensure water would "eventually" drain from the socket. Just an opinion. Cheers/Len