wooden mast splits

[cannon]

I have recently bought a 6.76mtr wooden sailing boat, and on closer inspection noticed small splits in the mast, like hairline cracks, is this anything to worry about?

 

[oldharry]

They are called 'shakes' and usually result from the wood drying out too much. Plenty of coats of varnish to fill them in and all should be well. Any other patent remedies?

 

[Poignard]

What you don't want to do is fill them with anything hard, e.g epoxy. If you do it will act like a log splitter.

 

[mclark]

I have heard beeswax is good, anything that stays soft, keeps the water out a bit and will push out if the shake closes.

 

[Niander]

vaseline then ?

 

[Woodlouse]

Farm 100 is what ye want. Works for seams that look like opening up too.

 

[Roach1948]

In the Latest Classic Boat mag - the editor routes his out with a V router bit and splines in some Sitka Spuce.

 

[Woodlouse]

You'd have to at least use the same type of wood as the rest of the mast. Otherwise it could have the same effect as using epoxy.

 

[Niander]

If its an old glue joint epoxy is for that then?