ground wire

[teacher63]

I was the lucky sole that had to replace the mast and the rigging as the mast broke in 1/2 at the spreaders. Finally got it back in February and doing some small maintenance things when I spotted a problem. There is what appears to be a ground wire in the cabin v berth that is on the ceiling and obviously was attached to a bolt that ran from the mast step to a keel bolt. It appears that the wire was put in during when the boat was built. The wire runs between the carpet and the fiberglass. Is this ground grounding the mast to the keel, or is it for the lights?
:dance:

 

[peptobysmol]

If it is thick and black it is the mast ground wire and it goes to the keel it is the ground for the mast in case of lightning strikes.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Agree with peptobysmol but the standard color is light green not black for lightning grounds. For the record I've seen both colors used. If it is black it is most likly a PO that ran it.
From what you describe however, it sounds like it is the carpet fire starter as it will surly smoke the wire if you get a lightning strike resulting in no little excitement shortly thereafter.

 

[inarathree]

Standard or not mine is black also.

 

[teacher63]

It is black and it is the the mast ground. I e-mailed Hunter and got an immediate answer the said "do not use boat till connected". So I guess I need to motor it back around to the marina that put the new mast on and have them fix it. More than likely that means dropping the mast. Yippee!!!

 

[carboman]

What do you think is better alternative, running it down the mast support pole, loosely tacked in place? Or maybe in some plenum type of conduit?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[peptobysmol]

I would just run the wire by itself. I doubt the proper gauge wire with the plastic coating would chafe enough to wear through. Even if it does, its a ground.