Hello, I am looking to run new electrical cables & coax from the mast step to the electrical panel on my Hunter 30-2. A previous owner opted to cut the electrical cables above the mast step (including the connectors), leaving only a few inches of cable/coax to work with. Has anyone attempted to fish new cables through the cabin interior? Hopeful there's a way to do it that doesn't involve cutting holes in the cabin roof.
Hunter 30: Running new cables from mast step to electrical panel?
- Thread starter Kurt K
- Start date
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,521
There is always a way on a boat. Sometimes, we need to be creative. I know that is what has happened on my boat. I have found that using a powerful flashlight, some boat yoga, and innovative approaches have helped resolve such challenges. Often it takes sitting in the boat and exploring the less obvious.
The cable is likely fastened in out of the way places but it's worth trying to pull it through to see if you can pull a new one using the old cable. A flexible fish tape might help. Another trick I have used for confined spaces is to put a light string with a bit of plastic tied to it at one end and a vacuum on the other end to suck it through, not great for more open spaces but is incredibly good for pulling through conduit.
This is doable.
In my case just this past winter layover (all winter long) I did what you are going to do, run a new coax cable from the mast (inside the cabin) to the electric panel at the navigation station. To relocate my VHF from the pedestal to inside the cabin.
At one point I entertained the thought of cutting an access hole in the headliner as well. That won’t be as easy as it may sound. On my 340 the headliner was all of 1/4” to better than 3/8” thick in spots.
Please do not let this sway you or scare you. It takes time and patience.
If you look in the forum archives under “What grade VHF Antenna Coaxial Cable was used in a 2000 Hunter 340” it will outline my process to completion.
I found a Flat Snake will find its way through the existing wires and cables in the headliner. Better than cable pullers.
By all means, Try to pull a new messenger line through using the coax you have, I could not get enough leverage on the cable to do it but you may have better results. Worth a try.
And get a friend to help. The distance between both points is too far for you pull alone with great effectiveness.
As I said, don’t let this sway you away from the project, I hope it helps clear it up a little.
I know there is plenty of space in the headliner for another cable in there. Once you have a messenger wire in place you will be able to pull a new cable through.
Be cautious if the thickness of the cable you choose.
Read the posting I highlighted, it will answer more questions for you.
Completely agree.
Again, completely agree.
In my case just this past winter layover (all winter long) I did what you are going to do, run a new coax cable from the mast (inside the cabin) to the electric panel at the navigation station. To relocate my VHF from the pedestal to inside the cabin.
At one point I entertained the thought of cutting an access hole in the headliner as well. That won’t be as easy as it may sound. On my 340 the headliner was all of 1/4” to better than 3/8” thick in spots.
Please do not let this sway you or scare you. It takes time and patience.
If you look in the forum archives under “What grade VHF Antenna Coaxial Cable was used in a 2000 Hunter 340” it will outline my process to completion.
I found a Flat Snake will find its way through the existing wires and cables in the headliner. Better than cable pullers.
By all means, Try to pull a new messenger line through using the coax you have, I could not get enough leverage on the cable to do it but you may have better results. Worth a try.
And get a friend to help. The distance between both points is too far for you pull alone with great effectiveness.
As I said, don’t let this sway you away from the project, I hope it helps clear it up a little.
I know there is plenty of space in the headliner for another cable in there. Once you have a messenger wire in place you will be able to pull a new cable through.
Be cautious if the thickness of the cable you choose.
Read the posting I highlighted, it will answer more questions for you.