Hi Sam,
Daemon has a wooden mast and has had some rot episodes, but thry are no problem and any decent boatbuilder/shipwright, especially one used todealing with wooden boats, can scarf in a new piece at minimal cost.
We varnish the mast so we can see if there are any new issues arising, which paint can disguise. We curse it as it requires regular recoats in the equatorial environment, but it is good to be able to see what is happening with it. We sail in out of the way places, so like having a mast that is easily repairable with minimal tools and less sophisticated workshops.
Cheers,
Jill