Protecting wires at the mast step

[sailme88]

After a near disaster while stepping our C34 mast this past spring, a guard was devised to act as a shoehorn for future steppings. A piece of aluminum flat stock was formed into a U. The mast was drilled and tapped and the guard put in place.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I assume the loose wires were nearly ripped off last time?

Without more info, my first thought would be to install bulkhead connectors on the mast and fabricate an extension between that and the boat's connectors

 

[fred1diver]

I assume the loose wires were nearly ripped off last time?

Without more info, my first thought would be to install bulkhead connectors on the mast and fabricate an extension between that and the boat's connectors

I like that idea, I might steal it

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I like that idea, I might steal it

Let me know if you ever need any cabling advise. I'm happy to help

 

[sailme88]

I assume the loose wires were nearly ripped off last time?

Without more info, my first thought would be to install bulkhead connectors on the mast and fabricate an extension between that and the boat's connectors

So as the mast was entering the deck collar a gust of wind started to pushing the mast head aft. the reciprocal was the step moving forward. WE have devised other steps in the process to KEEP the mast in column. The guard is all materials on hand and was a good adjunct to the stepping process.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

It's not a bad solution. Pretty elaborate for something used for less than a couple of hours per year. Are your connectors under water when the bilge fills up?

 

[sailme88]

It's not a bad solution. Pretty elaborate for something used for less than a couple of hours per year. Are your connectors under water when the bilge fills up?

No, the bilge never has that much water. The mast wiring has two 5 pin flat trailer connectors that are opposite ( one exposed pin, 4 exposed pins) this eliminates any confusion when making the connection. There is a hole drilled into the bilge from the settee just forward of the step. All mast wiring goes through the hole and gets connected to it's corresponding connector. Then the bundle of connections is secured high inside the settee so it's a good foot above the cable sole. The pic is a 4 exposed pin that mates with a 1 exposed pin. The mast connectors could be plugged into each other, but when under the settee there is only one way to connect. Hope that isn't confusing.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

No, the bilge never has that much water. The mast wiring has two 5 pin flat trailer connectors that are opposite ( one exposed pin, 4 exposed pins) this eliminates any confusion when making the connection. There is a hole drilled into the bilge from the settee just forward of the step. All mast wiring goes through the hole and gets connected to it's corresponding connector. Then the bundle of connections is secured high inside the settee so it's a good foot above the cable sole. The pic is a 4 exposed pin that mates with a 1 exposed pin. The mast connectors could be plugged into each other, but when under the settee there is only one way to connect. Hope that isn't confusing.

A bulkhead connector on the mast would still be my suggestion. It can likely be a small one as even small connectors can usually handle at least 5A per pin