I have just discovered the main mast on my (30 year old) 38' ketch has cracked up one side.
The mast is spruce and is approx 22cm x 15cm at the base.
The crack starts at the base and (at this stage) has progressed about 2m up the mast.
I drilled a 15mm hole about 50mm up from the step and water poured out (about 200ml).
My guess is the water is getting in somewhere around the hallyard blocks which is job for next weekend.
It appears the mast has an offset hollow centre where wires used to routed as i found bits of wire in my drill bit.
All the wiring now is external to the mast - so no problem there.
My question is, what should I do now to prevent the wood rotting?
I've drilled another hole about 1.5m up from the lower one in an effort to get some air circulating through the cavity.