How can I fix mast rot and delamination?

Hi Paul,

What advice would you give for this question?

I own a wooden Lightning #5230. At the end of last summer, as I was
putting the mast in the barn for the winter, I noticed the center of the
mast beginning to delaminate and separate. To a layman like me, it
looks repairable. Any suggestions on steps to repair and type of
adhesive to use?

Same mast, different problem. The very top of the mast has become punky from dry rot. This seems to be a more complicated repair. The problem is in the top 4 inches of the mast. Is it possible to fabricate a new
mast top and attach? Or should I be looking for another mast?

Any thoughts you have on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.
Greg
Schuylerville, NY


Cheers
Jeremy

Dear Jeremy:

The mast is probably repairable. I say "probably" because without being
able to survey the extent of the rot, it's hard to say. It's the rot that
tosses a monkey wrench into the works (so to speak). The delaminated area
is easy to repair with a bit of epoxy resin. The rotted area is something else.

The rotted section may be repairable, but it's probably faster, easier, and
more economical to simply fabricate a new mast. That would be my option.

Regards,

Paul J. Bennett
Marine Engineer, Naval Architect