Hi there,
Corian! Well, I don't know the properties of it, but all you need is something that will resist compression, and not readily absorb water. Plus, with Corian, you can get it in colors to match the upholstery.
We've used UHMW in the past. Also custom pouring of the stuff (I forget the name) that you can make engine mount beds out of. But often we'll just build a new step, when, as noted above, corrosion is a problem there, too.
As for how high, I think this is a significant issue; coming up from where the step is fastened means building a moment arm into the step, so the bolts and mast base could see loads they were never designed for, especially if the rig is tuned slack, and the top of the mast gets a bit to leeward. So when we build tall new steps, we make them on the absurdly stout side.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss
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