Mast electrical again

[harryjak]

I am running a radio coax up the mast for the VHF. It will exit in front of the mast and then down through the deck. I am puzzled about the best way to get the wiring down the mast support channel. I thought the end was open but there is a little bulkhead that I can feel there with a small passage for wiring. I am thinking of drilling a 1 " hole in the forward face of the channel, pushing the wire coax from on top and hopefully seeing it as it comes by the hole. The two choices for the hole location would be just to the left of the fuel inlet pipe in the pic or to the left of the bolt for the stay support.

Anybody have any idea what it is like inside the mast support channel?

 

[dee.yeah]

The mast step wiring should go into the crossbeam and then to the starboard end. You can check carefully and you should see the wires leading to the switch panel.

I guess it's difficult to have new wires going via the crossbeam, unless you pull out the old ones with the ends attaching the new ones, so that they are led via the crossbeam.

 

[harryjak]

They go all the way over to the Port side also for the cabin lights. The issue is still how to get wire down the support and out the hole at the end.

 

[Syntonos]

cross beam construction - again

My sense is that the beam is a "U" shape with the deck as the top -creating the box. Origional wiring is laid in the "U" and lead thru the deck when the deck is installed during construction.

The beam is a little forward of the mast step. My solution was a junction box with a hole leading into the beam in the bottom. All wire connections boat/mast are in the waterproof box for service/diagnoses.

The problem is making the tight 90 degree bends in the area available, especially with the VHF coaxial.

The photos show the access inside with wiring exiting the beam. Running inside seemed impractical (although preferred) due to the limited access the holes would permit. Plus the previous owner had run the VHF that way.
I'm leary of holes larger than 1" weakening the beam. The wiring is covered by a 110v interior light show the uglyness doesn't show.

deck mast wiring pic-
white- masthead / anchor
blue- steaming / foredeck light w seperate on-off
vhf- obvious

fishing wires was a pain I spent hours - hope it helps - good luck