Tree to Mast: seasoning, oil vs. CPES?

[Seth Wood]

I've cut the tree (white pine) for my mast -- will be about 7" x 40' finished dimensions -- and I'm getting ready to debark it so it can season before final-shaping.

It'll be rough-cut to about 8x8 or 10x10 for seasoning for a year or two, and I'm wondering: do I oil [linseed, pine tar] it? apply CPES? leave it bare wood?

The ends of the tree are sealed with a couple coats of thick oil-based paint. I think the finished mast will have CPES and varnish, rather than oil, so I'm hesitant to oil it now.

On the other hand, I know the oil doesn't penetrate that far, and I want to minimize checking while it's seasoning. [It'll season on blocks in the shade, either under a tarp or in the boatshed.]

The project is a 30' cutter, plank-on-frame.

Any thoughts? I hope to get it rough-sawn shortly. Thanks....

[imported_Conrad]

I wouldn't use CPS, since it will seal too well, making it difficult for the moisture to work its way out. From my admittedly limited experience talking with those who have seasoned masts or timbers, the key is to allow the process to happen slowly- keep the timber shaded, never in the direct sun, ends well painted, and be patient.

[windfall]

I would oil it heavily and repaetedly.....It is still going to check...assuming that the heart is still contained in the stick. Your hope is to have lots of smaller checks rather thasn a few big splits....and keep painting the ends, two coats isn't all that much of a barrieir
- Get it debarked and milled as soon as possible, because with white pine you are likely to get bluestain in any sapwood (if you will have any left on the finished stick)if you don't get below Fiber saturation point before the warm weather comes

[paul oman]

I am in the epoxy business and would NOT recommend using epoxy or solvent thinned epoxy like CPES or ESP155.

The home repair guy on the radio were I once lived always pushed mineral spirits and linseed oil (something like 2 parts spirit to 1 part oil)

paul
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