First time unstepping my mast - 2009 B37

[Vegas]

Rigging company will unstep my mast tomorrow, in preparation to ship my boat up to the Great Lakes. First time it's been unstepped in the 4+ years I've owned her, and probably the first time since it was brand new. What can I expect......will they have to cut the wires, or is there likely a connection/junction block of some sort where they can just disconnect the mast wiring?

 

[NYSail]

I assume its deck stepped.... Right by the compression post inside the boat there should be a panel.... Unscrew and the wire connections should be there.... vhf on deck at mast base. At least that is where they are on the 423.

 

[Vegas]

Thanks! Yes, it's deck-stepped. I'll try to remember to take some pictures and post them on this thread.

 

[Justin_NSA]

You could have several wires to disconnect. You may want to label them and/or sketch a diagram if there's a chance of error when it comes time to hook them up again.

 

[Ben4195]

Definitely label the wires. I bought a pack of multicolored electric tape to label the connected wires, each with a different color, and match the wires up that way when reconnecting them. The only wire that had to be cut on my mast when it was first unstepped was the VHF antenna. Since I now unstep my mast every year since, I have installed a plug, so no more cutting the VHF wire.

 

[Davidasailor26]

There is a connector near the base of the compression post, inside the table. There is a removable panel on the starboard side of the table that gives access. That connector is for all the lights on the mast. I can't remember if there is another connector up higher for those same wires, or if there is another connection for the antenna and anemometer, but it's a good place to look.

 

[Vegas]

Yes, thanks! I believe there are 5 wires.........Here's a picture of the deck, however I have not explored the headliner area or the compression post areas for junction boxes yet.

 

[Bob S]

It depends on who did the original wiring. I could not pass the PL259 VHF connector through and had to cut it off. Beneteau used the Euro style terminal blocks. I bought a set of numbers used to identify wires. They are probably already marked with numbers. The numbers should correlate to your manual and the Waco connections behind the distribution panel. They did some funky things jumping the grounds. It's not that bad, good luck.

 

[Justin_NSA]

5 cables b

Yes, thanks! I believe there are 5 wires.........Here's a picture of the deck, however I have not explored the headliner area or the compression post areas for junction boxes yet.

5 cables but several more wires. Label carefully.

 

[Vegas]

Turns out all my mast wiring was behind the access panel in the headliner, near the top of the compression post. Other than the VHF PL257 plug, the tv antenna plug, and the ST60 wind instrument Raymarine connection box, all other wires were crimped butt connectors.

Thanks for everyone's info and advice!

 

[Justin_NSA]

So you have to cut all of them to unstep the mast?? This might be the time to install a terminal strip and add wire terminals. It looks like they used the same color wire for all circuits. Be sure to label everything.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Turns out all my mast wiring was behind the access panel in the headliner, near the top of the compression post. Other than the VHF PL257 plug, the tv antenna plug, and the ST60 wind instrument Raymarine connection box, all other wires were crimped butt connectors.

Thanks for everyone's info and advice!

Good to know. I'll probably have to remember that in the next few years.