Fishing new mast cables in a 37
- Thread starter Pilotocopilot
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No. The Kenyon spar has 'raceway' for cables behind the sail track. After removing the gooseneck from the mast the sail track slides out the bottom of the mast in 3 or 4 lengths, exposing all the wiring. There might be cross section drawing on the RigRite site that shows the raceway and the removable sail track - it is basically the way the extrusion is designed. I suppose you could fish a wire through the interior of the mast, but I would worry about it getting tangled up in the internal run of the halyards.
Did this last spring. Wasn't nearly as hard as expected, but then mine is a fresh water boat. Not only is all the cabling inside the race, it is also tie wrapped and riveted to the race itself in numerous places.
With the bottom of the mast affixed to the keel I see no way to run wire next to the halyards. Last year, with the mast horizontal and a stiff fishtape I had a terrible time getting a new halyard through the mast. With the mast in the boat you could use a halyard to pull wire but that would only get you to the gooseneck. Not sure how you would get it the rest of the way.
My thoughts where to drop a weighted line down the core and then drill a hole and mount a hayard guide near the base where the cable would exit.
I ran new wires down the channel in the back of the mast for a new wind speed with little problem, I used a fishtape starting at the top and pullrd them out above the deck after removing the gooseneck. I wanted to get them that for before trying to run them further. I then drilled a 3/4 inch hole through the plastic filler piece about six inches below the cabin sole. Then ran them down=n from the gooseneck and out the hole in the back of the mast, It took a little time but wasn't difficult. The biggest obstacle for many will be removing the eight machine screws holding the gooseneck on the mast. Once you get them out make sure you put never seize on them before re-installing the,
That's exactly what I'm looking to install. I was originally thinking of going to a wireless model but have read mixed reviews on them, the technology hopefully will advance further before I take the plunge and start the fishing process.
Pics of wire pocket behind track when removed for your use.
The next one is looking up through the mast.
Good luck.
The next one is looking up through the mast.
Good luck.
Those are great pictures Neal. Wish I had taken those so many years ago when I rewired my mast. My track is full so I would never be able to do what Blaise described, pull a wire through that track with the cover on. With just the original wire in there it might be doable. But Blaise has a lot more patience than I do.
Glad to help: I took those three years ago when I rewired my mast. However since that channel goes all the way to the bilge it is a constant source of rain water in the bilge.
I don't know how with more than a couple wires in there how you can wire from the top.
Interesting item was that since the steaming light is on the opposite side of the mast there were two holes in the side of the mast where you can insert a zip tie (with a lot of patience) to hold the wire out of the center so it wouldn't conflict with the halyards.
I don't know how with more than a couple wires in there how you can wire from the top.
Interesting item was that since the steaming light is on the opposite side of the mast there were two holes in the side of the mast where you can insert a zip tie (with a lot of patience) to hold the wire out of the center so it wouldn't conflict with the halyards.
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