Getting a radar cable thru the mast

[George H260]

Hi all,I have a brand spanking new radar system itching to be installed on my 95 Hunter 336.I am going to install the radome on the mast and was wondering if I could run its cable without un-stepping the mast.There is an inside cabin access cover at the base of the step where the wires exit the mast. They come out at a right angle to the inside cabin tube. Would it be possible to drop a weight and fishing line down the inside of the mast and fish it out from this opening? I would then use the line to pull the cable thru.Im not sure if there is an outside access plate on the mast.Does anyone know what the inside of the mast on this model looks like? Are the current wires run in a tube? or are they just run individually down the mast?Comments welcome.ThanksGeorge

 

[Pete]

radar wire in mast

Hello George, My first thought is this will be difficult.there is a small (appx 2 inch hole) on the mast base that leads into the compression post and then there is a hole in the post at a 90 degree angle to the hole at the mast base.If and this is a big if,if you can get a line thru the hole at the mast base into the compression post then you will be able to get the wire into the cabin access.You can try the fishing line but I would recommend a hard wire "fish" line. They are in Home Depot (about $20) in the electrical dept,they are used for running wire thru walls etc.I think you will have better luck with this then the fishing line and weight.It might be easier to run it up the mast from inside the cabin then down from radar mount.there is(at least on mine)a tube in the mast that the wires run in so they don't slap around inside the mast-don't have a way or any idea how to get up inside it with out stepping the mast.Sorry that is not what you want to hear.I'm thinking that you are the same George that bought the boat in CT. if so I'm glad you still have the boat and hope you are doing well ! Good Luck !

 

[Jim Wasko]

I agree with Pete

My experience is that there is a tube in the mast, especially if the halyards run through the inside of the mast. This tube is almost always fastened to the inside of the mast with rivets, which leaves hotspots (things that cables and wires will hang on).Also considering that if you do have a tube in the mast, then all of the existing wires are most likely twisted throughout this tube and so to simply drop a fishline through with a weight will be practictly impossible. If you plan on running the radar cable outside of this tube and your halyards run through the mast, then my guess is you'll eventually chafe through the radar cable at some point in time down the road.The best way is to step the mast, also because of having to carry all of the tools up the mast (which I wouldn't attempt if the boat is on the hard) and mounting the radome properly, will be extremely difficult.

 

[William Berson]

GOOPY BLUES

I've pulled wires through the mast on my 310, which I presume is similiar to your 326, and has a radar cable. The biggest problem was the pint or so of RTV sealant which was gooped all around the wire bundle at the mast step. I invested a hour or two in unsticking the wire rat's nest, which the commissioning yard or factory had glued together with white sealant, being careful not to break anything. Then threading the fish tape to pull a wire to the mast head was easy.

 

[nick naggio]

Mast cables

You don't always have to demast,I did a lot of research asking selden first what I can do ,explaining what I was trying to do,and they sent me some books on running cables in the mast.My 2001 290 full batten has cable slots on each side of the sail track and a special opening in cabin roof to run cables down below.Just as soon as the weather inproves here I will be running radar and ST60 cables in the mast. Nick

 

[George H260]

Thanks All

Thanks for the responses. Hi Pete, Yes Its me. How are yor doing?I called Hunter and they gave me the same response you all did. The bigest problem is the Silicone they use to seal the opening at the deck level. They said I would create a leak by messing with the sealant (I did not tell them I already have one there)I called US Spars and the guy there is out at a bot show this week. But I expect the same response.I have seen people run the cable on the outside of their masts. I have an external groove that is drawn into the forward bow section of the mast. Perhaps I can run the cable down this groove and secure it there with some 1"-2" tubing sections pop riveted in. I would then use a thru deck fitting to get it inside the boat.I have also heard of people drilling a hole at the base of the mast to obtain access, but I would like to hear that this is OK from US Spars before even considering going with that approach.

 

[Chuck]

Cable Port

You might consider a cable port like on the newer Hunters. A stainless steel box to mount ahead of the mast, then run all cables through it and the deck. Got one from Selden for around $70.00. You can see it at the following link.