Through Deck Wiring help

[Canonshooternb]

Well I came across another little project that I need some guidance on. The mast wiring that come through the deck is getting very short ( about 2" )
I would like to replace the wiring but when it enters the deck it seems to disappear. How hard is it to fish new wiring through ?
Would it be better to drill a new hole and use a proper through deck fitting ? and if so what would you recommend using ?

My boat is a 1985 Hunter 25.5

Thanks for reading

 

[AtlanticAl]

You should use a bulkhead fitting for a through deck connection, that way, you have the individual bulkhead connection fitted to the deck and water tight, and you just plug the connection into the bit on the deck. If you drill a hole and run a cable through, you will never permanantly seal round about it, the cable expands and contracts more than the sealant you will use, and it will eventually leak.

 

[twodzusfittings]

I recently had to do this job on my 25.5 due to missing and short wires. I used the weather sealed plug for the VHF antenna wire and ran a wire through it, shrunk wrapped both and fed it through the plug. This was my common ground back to the panel. I only found a red and black extending through the bulkhead. Thosewires that run through the bulkhead I extended after tinning, connecting and shrink wrapping and then used the correct water tight connecting plugs. As I don't plan on stepping the mast, this is good. If and when I sell I will provide the new owner with a wiring plan so he /she understands the work done.

 

[Canonshooternb]

Yes that sounds like what I have to do also. My plan is to drill a hole but looking for recommendation on through deck fitting. I think I will have to run some new wires through the mast as well to make proper connections

PL

 

[jorg027]

I drilled a hole through the cabin top of my 23 to run wire for my mounted solar panel. The hole was just large enough to run the wire. Both inside n out the wire was secured from movement. I sealed it with BoatLife caulk. Works great. No leaks

 

[carboman]

Make sure you seal any holes up by the mast or you will be doing what the pic shows. I neg;ected it a bit and it crept up on me.

Well I came across another little project that I need some guidance on. The mast wiring that come through the deck is getting very short ( about 2" )
I would like to replace the wiring but when it enters the deck it seems to disappear. How hard is it to fish new wiring through ?
Would it be better to drill a new hole and use a proper through deck fitting ? and if so what would you recommend using ?

My boat is a 1985 Hunter 25.5

Thanks for reading

 

[navigator97]

Cannonshooter, Look at Blue Seas Cable Clam. W, M, has them as does Defender and others. There are 3 sizes. You can drill multiple holes of different sizes in one cable clam to acomodate a few cables and wires/ Check it out.

 

[Canonshooternb]

Thanks, I just looked them up and may give that a try. With this method are your wire connections all done on the inside of the cabin ? I was hoping for a plug and play type connection like the trailer hookup.