Wooden masts are the way to go, look lovely and dont need as much maintenance as some would have you believe, the above posts are very good advice, especially the rope cored idea. We use galvanised wire out here in the northsea, it gets well used, you can buy it already impregnated with a very thick grease type stuff, which doesnt crack, but protects the wire from rust etc, would be excellent for rigging, I second the advice, dont go near "yacht riggers" for your wire, go to an industrial supplier, even for stainless.