Re-masting problem

[Seagreen]

So I'm going to relaunch shortly after some 19 months out. However, I've a small concern, which is:

The mast chock, between the mast partner frames has dried out and split. and now has a gap of up to 0.5cm. If I crane the mast back in and relaunch, the chock will swell and it'll be impossible to get the mast back out, or the swelling of the wood will cause the chock to force the mast partners apart.

So, should i start soaking these bits to get them to swell before I re-step the mast? The mast is wedged in with 8 wedges, but ought I soak these as well?

Any thoughts appreciated. Ta.

 

[Peterduck]

Given that there should be room for the wedges to go in, I'd be very surprised if the chock would swell so much as to bind the mast in place. How about putting it [the mast] in either without the wedges or with them only placed there by hand, to be adjusted frequently until everything has stabilised again. Another possibility is to place rubber wedges [sold for holding doors open] in place of the wooden wedges until stability is reached. Does the split need to be sealed up to prevent a deck leak happening?
Peter.

 

[Roach1948]

I made a new set of chocks this year, as the last ones broke up as they were very jammed in at the end of last season - I gather it is a common problem.

My chocks have a substantial lip on them, so that they dont fall through the deck-head. Oak, and soaked in an oil bath all last Winter.

 

[Seagreen]

There is a slight split in the decking which will get epoxied, but the main mast chock has developed quite a split. (incidentally, the aft end of the counter is splitting due to drying out, but I'll just temporarily stop it with red lead mix and let seawater take its course).

My hunch is to let the wood soak for a few days (wet towels) prior to launch and then wedge the mast back in. I'll also tallow the faces of the wedges maybe. The decking got water between the teak and ply substrate, but no rot, so local epoxying, resealing and som sanding back are the order here. I don't think the mast will bind but I'm just checking.