Choices for mast repair

This week I talked to a few people about what they think I should do with the mast. The consensus is that I should not weld it. Aluminum gets soft and weak after being welded and never really regains its strength apparently. If I insist on repairing it, the only solutions seems to be to build a slug/sleeve that goes inside and rosetta spot weld or pop rivet the sections together. Since the extrusion is fairly unique, no one really has the shape I need for the sleeve. It is also recommended that I try to use similar aluminum alloy to prevent galvanic corrosion down the line. What an ordeal. Looks like I'm going to have to bite another bullet and buy a new mast. The rig will be pretty much brand new once it is said and done. At least that will be a relieve. Like Marlene said the other day, "Why don't you just buy another boat!?!?". Well, I pretty much am.