Mast Sealing/Flotation

The cork sealing plugs inside my mast sections has already or is disintegrating due to age and whatever. Some has crumbled away with the remainder still lodged in the tubes. I really want to remove the remainder and replace it with a new seal or just eliminate all together. I do not believe these were ever intended to provide flotation as there is hardly enough material to do this. It would seem that trying to seal the rig sections is futile due to all the joints and rivet holes. Trapping moisture inside the tubes does not seem to me to be ideal either.

Reading the class rules, I do not see any specific mention of a requirement to have the cork seals, other than the part dealing with "original manufactured equipment". Any of you characters that have been around for a while have an opinion or can offer insight on this.

I want to do the correct thing and certainly do not want to be labeled a cheater. Thanks for reading and comments.

I feel you are better not having it sealed and I would suggest taping the sections together when sailing to seal the mast. This keeps water out while sailing and still have the ability to wash out the spars after being in Key Largo or other saltwater. I have been thinking about drilling a hole in my top section at the bottom just for the ability to wash it out. Already had one upper spar ruined by saltwater.