To remast, or not to remast?

[The Schooner Etain]

Ok, so, being the type of guy that is always working on several things and thinking ahead about several others....I'm trying to plan out what to do with my masts. I could use some input.

I'll give you a few pictures. Unfortunately they didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped. I got a really bad glare on the spot I was trying to show, but maybe you can pick it out anyways.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid19/p43b1691d0f3ed2713a121a363f6d301c/fdc686d6.jpg

This is a section of the main mast. You really can't see it because of the glare :( But there's some vertical checking going on in the lower portions. It's well above the areas that are inside the boat, as that part was painted, as well as about three feet up from the deck. There's also quite a definate scarf line in the mast as well, but I think it's only a cosmetic problem.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid19/pbbd78d2588c3b4817cdc8678f52d3198/fdc686d3.jpg

The forward mast doesn't show any of these problems, nor the top mast. What I need to know is if any of this makes the main mast unsafe under the load of the gaff sail. I'd like to not have to replace it right away if I can help it. There are no signs of rot at all, but I still need to check under the wood strips that were nailed along the top portion.

I'll try to get some better pictures, but it will take me awhile, so let's hear your thoughts anyway.

Chris

[Dave Fleming]

Chris, if it is a solid stick some vertical checking can be expected especially if the vessel has gone from tropic climate to temperate and back and forth, get the picture?

If they offend your sensibilites you can fill them with a SOFT putty or melted beeswax.
The SOFT putty will usually accept paint but IIRC beeswax is kinda tough to paint over.

Soft spots are what really should worry you, so if ya have no soft spots just some checking that is not too deep. I wouldn't worry.

Grasshopper, a man must keep his focus. :D

Good thing to be thinking ahead but you got TONS of work to do with that hull and there are enough factors there to keep you busy for some time, ya folla?

Keep pluggin' along, steady like, try to maintain a disipline about the boat work.
No surges and then slack, that way is frustrating. You loose that focus and your train of thought and when you return from a slack time you will be spending extra energy both physical and mental just getting back in the swing of things. Make sense to you?

PAX
;)

[The Schooner Etain]

Thanks for the info Dave. It's so seldom that i post a question about the condition of something and actually hear back a response that I WANT to hear. :D

I'll leave the masts then, as the checking isn't very deep, and I can work around the cosmetics. That will save me a load of cash for a couple of years anyways.

And thanks for the words of inspiration and support!

Chris