I think it's just the nature of the mast construction. Ours has cut outs all along the mast for the T-toggles, as well as for runners, that let some water in when it's raining. I think it would be impossible to stop on our boat.
Absolutely agree.
Our Kenyon double-spreader rig is keel stepped and probably quite similar to yours.
Every major rain storm (and this
is Oregon I am describing...) will deposit about a quart down the inside of the spar.
Pure water delivered fresh to the bilge!
I keep a "turkey baster" on board for pulling all the water out of the bilge when I visit every week.
What with the masthead halyard entries, spreader roots and a flock of exit plates lower down, there are lots of places for wind-driven rain to get inside.
Through-stepped spars have other advantages, and we just have to accept the downside of some rain wandering down the inside.
Gotta admit, I have no answer for the buildup of ice in that bilge, though.
Loren