H37C - how do mast wires run from bilge to nav station?

[FredV]

I'm replacing all the 12v DC wires in both the mast (now that I know how to do that from other posts here!) and the interior. But before I start ripping up the cabin sole, I thought I'd ask if anyone knows how the wires run from the mast base in the bilge to the electrical panel by the nav station. Do I need to rip up the sole by the vanity, or is there some other way the clever people at Hunter ran them?

Thanks!

 

[seadaddler]

Headliner

I have had 2 newer Hunter and the wires come from the mast into the cabin top and into the juction point where all the wires are on a strip and than across the in the headliner across to the main panel.
Nick

 

[Mark Price]

On my 1980 37HC the wires exit the base of the mast and then come along the bilge boards then under the cabin sole right at the edge of the bench infront of the Nav table. If you lift the seat cushion next to the Nav table you will see where they run up to the electrical panel. The other runs are behind the panel down to the aft port cabin across the fuel tank and to the engine/ batteries. They also run across the bilge just in front of the sink. Open up the bilge boards and you will see them. Hope your boat is wired the same as mine. Mark

 

[FredV]

-> seadaddler - The mast on the H37C is keel-stepped, so the wires run below the cabin sole, not in the headliner. But thanks for your quick response.

-> Mark - I've removed the main bilge board (from aft cabin to forward end of table) several times and didn't notice any wires, nor are there any under the port berth cushion, which is what prompted my question. What you describe is what I originally thought I would do, but then it occurred to me that maybe there was a different path somewhere that I haven't yet discovered.

Thanks!

 

[Mark Price]

Well other than the obvious follow them from where they exit the mast at the step to pull the breaker pannel and follow them from that end and hope you meet in the middle with the boat in some sort of organised jumbled mess, I do not know what to say!! Maybe good luck and keep us posted?

 

[FredV]

Thanks, I will!

 

[Jim Legere]

I found it very useful to cut an access hole in the fiberglass panel under the nav table, below the breaker panel. I made mine about 1' x 2' and made a simple door to cover it. Makes it easy to fish wires up the panel plus there is room in there for 1/2 dozen rolls of paper towel to boot! Got the idea from Gene Gruender's Rainbow Chaser web page.

My wires from the mast meet the wires from the panel on a couple of terminal strips under the floorboards. I have masthead instruments and radar on the mast, so quite a few wires down there. I like to buy the plastic, gasketed outdoor junction boxes from an electrical supply along with a few cable glands. Put the terminal strips inside the box with epoxy or hot melt glue...voila: a moisture-proof box in which to join your mast wires to the rest of the boat.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Like Jim my mast wires exit the bottom and go about eighteen inches to a terminal strip. That is mounted on the forward side of the bilge frame behind the shower sump. Also like Jim I installed a large round inspection port under the nav table. Did that when running wires for the radar and anemometer and A/C.

 

[FredV]

Thanks Jim and Ed, found the terminal strip - it was partially hidden by a wooden box whose purpose is still unclear. I can now replace that with a new strip inside a junction box, and also plan to cut that access hole behind the nav station.

Great ideas - thanks to all!

 

[sandpiper10471]

I rewired my mast last year. The terminal strips in the bilge were completely rotted out (and this is a fresh water boat!) so rather than risking a repeat of this, I ran the wires directly to the panel. Not much difference between pulling them off the panel and pulling them out of the bilge next time the stick is pulled and less chance of poor connections etc. Good luck.
BTW, your wiring likely runs through tubular chases. That box you mention by the terminal strip is likely your shower sump pump.