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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

mast wiring

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RoofRoof
Navigator

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USA
186 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/11/2003 : 10:55:06

I just ordered an electronic wind instrument for my Catalina 25 SK/TR.

I will need to run a wire from the head of the mast and down into the cabin.

I don't want to take down the mast, and also ordered the Mastmate steps so I can climb the mast.

Now, I think it will be quite difficult to run the new wiring inside the mast, and fish it thru holes at top and bottom. So, I'm considering running it on the outside of the mast.

I'd likely fasten it every 6-10 feet with some sort of cable fasteners.

Question is....is it alright to do this? And, should I run it on the front of the mast, or near the mainsail track, or where? Does it matter?

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2003 : 12:16:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Question is....is it alright to do this? And, should I run it on the front of the mast, or near the mainsail track, or where? Does it matter?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I would seriously consider lowering the mast and doing an internal installation of the wires. This will provide the wire with greater protection from the elements and from the running rigging.

Additionally, the job will look at lot neater.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2003 : 12:29:41

I second Don,

It's not a matter of if, but when something's going to snag that wire.
Lowering the mast is the best way. When was the last time you did that? Or has it been up for years living in Florida? Taking it down would be a great opportunity to check your standing rigging/ halyard sheaves and all that.
If you really don't want to lower the mast hoist up an assistant in a bosun's chair and have him feed it down. Might have to make a slightly bigger hole at the bottom so you can stick a wire hook in it to fish it out....There are nice rubber grommets out there to seal where the wire enters/exits.

Don....does his boat have an internal conduit?

Oscar

Lady Kay 250 WB #618
In the driveway in Behtlehem, PA ready to go anytime.

Edited by - Oscar on 11/11/2003 12:34:52

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2003 : 12:40:51

I also strongly recommend lowering the mast and running the wire inside. Look around your marina and see how many sailboats have wiring running on the outside of the mast.

At any rate, I'm predicting that lowering the mast would probably put you hours ahead... no matter if you choose to put the wiring inside or outside the mast.

Working while hanging from the masthead 35' above the water isn't very effecient.. and may provide you with some unexpected thrills.

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2003 : 14:15:21

If you install a wire on the outside of the mast it would have to be under considerable tention. In any other case it would chafe and slap when there was any amount of wind. Even a tight halyard will slap or vibrate on a mast. Given enough time this condition will polish or wear away the anti corrosive aluminum coating of the mast. Do it right put it inside. If your lines are run inside the mast its easy to fish a wire in by attaching it to a halyard.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2003 : 18:20:28

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by RoofRoof
 I don't want to take down the mast, and also ordered the Mastmate steps so I can climb the mast.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You own a boat with a trailerable rig. It is easy and of no concern to drop your mast. The mast is designed to be dropped and raised by two people. When you do it you can have as many people as you like help. I cannot imagine what you would want with the mast steps. If anything our boats are too tender to have a man at the top of the mast. That is where you are asking for something very bad to happen. You can back your boat in and drop the mast in 10 minutes. Run the wiring, change the sheves, and put it back up before half of the people around you notice you did it. Send those steps back!
Oh I almost forgot... IMHO

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2003 : 21:43:40

Alan,

Please reconsider the mast steps! They are extremely dangerous. Read the account of Larry and Lin Pardey's friend that died a rather gruesome death when his foot slip through, not off, the mast step in their book The Capable Cruiser. Additionally, two of my friends have mast steps and the halyards are ALWAYS hanging up on them; pain in the butt.

Edited by - Sea Trac on 11/12/2003 11:00:38

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2003 : 07:53:21

While running one wire why not run two or three, tie unsed ones off, then you wont have to ask again. "Bear" on the hard in upstate N.Y.

Edited by - on

RoofRoof
Navigator

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USA
186 Posts

Response Posted - 11/17/2003 : 22:13:58

Thank all for your input. I did receive the mastmate climbing system and I went up the mast just to the steaming light. The wires to the steaming light had broken from the constant movement of the wires. I have no conduit. But, after trying to fix the steaming light, and not enjoying the height or the pain from the mastmate, I decided that installing my new wind instrument up there was an impossiblity. The mast was down when I purchased the boat, and I had the marina use their fork lift to help put it up. It was a harrowing experience. The mast has been up ever since and I hate the thought of dropping it. I have a tall rig, and I believe that it is much heavier than the standard. So, I don't have the confidence to pull the mast down, and put it back up. So, I'm taking the boat to a rigging company where they will install conduit, new mast wiring, install the new wind instrument, put the mast back up and rig all. Hey, I'm making too much money now anyway. I'd rather let them do it for whatever it costs.

Edited by - on

deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 11/19/2003 : 14:36:40

A good solution! However, I would encourage you to set up your boat for raising and lowering the mast. As I have said elsewhere in this forum, I went five seasons before creating a rig that would allow me to raise and lower the mast single-handed. I spent over $3000 in that time on yard fees. This summer I spent less than $30 building a gin pole and cradle similar to this one: http://www.catalina25-250.org/tech/tech25/bearsad1.html , and presto!, I lowered the mast alone and raised it (just to make sure I could while I had helpers standing by). The tall rig is only, I believe, two feet taller (the boom is also lowered to allow for a larger main).

Back to the original topic: the plastic insulation on electric wires becomes brittle quite quickly when exposed to the sun. It also chafes readily. A major source of fires on boats is chafed electrical wiring.
'nuf said.

Edited by - on

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