Mast Grounding

J

j.hunter9999

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Oct 30, 2019
574
We unstepped the mast and I've been labeling and in some cases removing the old electrical.
When we unstepped the mast, the hole that goes through the mast base (on the boat), had
the VHF antenna, the wires for the steaming light, and two wires connected to nothing. (the
previous owner taped up some plastic with electrical tape to keep water out (I assume thats
what it was there to do). I think they must have disconnected something. They don't look
like grounding wires.

Anyway, I'd like to make sure all this looks kosher and has the correct grounding. Does
someone have a photo of the mast step they can post? How should the mast be grounded?
will the step plate (the about 1/8" plate with what might be described as ears fore and aft
each with two holes in it) support a boom vang? Our boat was built in 1975.

While were on the subject, if anyone has converted to jiffy reefing can comment on how they
keep the boom from spinning (presuming you also added a track on the mast for the boom
to ride up an down in), that would be great, too.

Thanks and take care,
JH
 
J

j.hunter9999

.
Oct 30, 2019
574
I forgot to mention, the mast step hole is filled with some type of clear caulk-like
substance. Again, I assume this was to keep water out. However, doesn't this also change
the ventilating characteristics of the boat? Looking at the manual, it seems like the mast
is part of the ventilation system.

Any thoughts on the mast step and grounding?
 
V

vegatern

.
Oct 2, 2005
465
I am no marine electrician but I suspect, as you, the wires are
simply the remains of some item removed, perhaps spreader lights or a
masthead tricolor. The mast does not need to be grounded because it is
not part of an electrical system, unless it is struck by lightning,
and a couple of 16 ga. wires won't help then. If that is what you are
thinking of check out books on boat electrical systems by Nigel
Calder, Don Casey or Charlie Wing. I think that most of us do not
have lightning protection.

The mast step will support a boom vang.

The Tern when I bought her already had a single line reefing system, a
variation of the jiffy reef, and there are pictures of the Tern in the
photo section. The boat did not have the roller reefing system and so
that did not present a problem when the previous owner installed the
reefing.
Craig
 
J

j.hunter9999

.
Oct 30, 2019
574
There's about two tons of caulk in the mast step. Should I remove it? What seals the base
of the mast from water on the deck? Intuitively, it seems like it should be sealed.
However, the Vega manual appears to use the mast in the ventilation system. I'll try to
post a photo of the mast step tomorrow night or this weekend.

Good advice about the grounding, Craig. My brother-in-law said the same thing. In fact,
he added that it would be about as good as clipping a 2AWG wire to one of the shrouds.
So, we're rethinking the grounding thing. I've got enough to do this winter anyway.

J
 
S

stevebirch2002

.
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Hi J

The mast step should not be sealed. It is part of the ventilation system. Many owners have sealed the mast as water will drip through, especially via any cables that come down. There are small drain holes at the bottom of each side of the mast, ensure they are clear.

Never heard of a Vega mast being grounded.

Cheers

SB
 
V

vegaboat

.
Feb 5, 2002
37
On my Vega, #935, the wire pair to the bow light becomes a single wire to the
port light fixture on the bow pulpit, and uses the pulpit as a ground-this has
grounded the whole rig via the forestay. Also, the VHF antenna at the masthead
has continuity to ground via the antenna connector shell. These are very light
duty grounds, but they are grounds.
RicOn Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:43:25 -0000, Steve Birch wrote
 
V

vsschreffler

.
Apr 22, 2008
47
Albin Vega 27 San Francisco
Steve, is it possible to verify the hole is not caulked without
unstepping the mast? Can it be done from the inside?

Some have said the mast ventilation is ineffective--what's your take?

Thanks,

Victor
v1553
 
S

stevebirch2002

.
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
The Vega ventialtion system works very well if not blocked and will keep her dry and sweet. I bought my Vega after she had not been touched for 8 years! When I opened the washboards she was dry and clean....

If you go in the forecabin and remove the ply covering the mast support you can see up through the mast at an angle, you will need a torch.

Cheers

Steve B
 
S

stevebirch2002

.
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Hi All

Someone ordered a set of cockpit cushions from me a couple of months back. They are now ready BUT I've forgotten who ordered them!!!!

Cheers

Steve Birch
 
G

groundhogyh

.
May 30, 2006
1,075
If you go to the archives of the previous posts, there is a description of how to fix the drip problem if you have it.

You basically cut a pop/soda bottle in half. Feed the wires through the pop bottle opening and the outside of the bottle fits outside of the mast step opening. It's like a little roof. The problem is that drips follow the wires down and get fed into the mast step opening. You use something like 5200 or such to seal the opening of the pop bottle with the wires through.

I did this and can say that you should shop around for just the right pop bottle. You want a one that is the right dimensions, but also thick.

And watch your fingers while the mast is going up and you are furiously trying to position the pop bottle!!! ouch.... or worse... chop.

groundhog
 
J

j.hunter9999

.
Oct 30, 2019
574
I agree with Steve (with an option to reconsider my position next season). Perhaps our
Vega's previous owner had some kind of drip or water problem. I just can't tell at this
point. If he did, it isn't apparent from within the cabin. I'm going to remove the caulk and
see how it goes this year. I'm putting my faith in Mr. Brohall that he knew what he was
doing. Worst case, I'll get water in this year and can put another type of sealant back in
for next year.

J
 
B

bobnlesafloat

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Oct 31, 2019
163
I was aware of the ventilation via the air duct under the port saloon berth; though to be honest it's no longer fitted on SF - the flexible pipe was crushed/broken and the fibreglass moulding was 80% detached, so I ripped it out; you can store more slabs of beer without it. But until I picked up on this thread, I'd no idea that there was any ventilation via the mast; how does it work? Where does/should the air get in/out?

Bob Carlisle
Spring Fever 1776
 
E

emmajen5

.
Feb 28, 2006
127
Bob:

Here\'s how Per Brohall describes the system in the Vega Handbook:

"The ventilation system has been designed with scientific
thoroughness by a former chief of the Swedish defence research,
Hugo Larsson. This is probably the only system that provides a
well ventilated and dry boat without the use of elec tric fans. On
hot summer days the temperature inside the boat will be cooler than
that outside.
The system is based on the principle of all air being let into the accommodation
through a ventilator in the cockpit. The hatch and its ventilator must be kept closed.
The air is taken through ducts next to the hull of the boat below the waterline which
cools the air and causes the moisture to condense against the cool hull. The water
runs into the bilge and the dehydrated air is fed into the cabin and fo\'c\'s\'le. It is
important always to keep the ventilator in the cockpit open; only in the unlikely
event of seas breaking into the cockpit should it be closed. Stale air is evacuated
through an Electrolux ventilator which was developed first by Hugo Larsson for his
VEGA. It is designed to suck out air as soon as there is any movement of wind
outside regardless of direction. The ventilation exhaust system is supplemented by
ventilation through the mast. On hot days there is a funnel action which increases
the flow of air. The temperature inside a VEGA, lying at her mooring on a hot day
with all the hatches closed can be 5° less than that of the air outside. Without this
system the boat would be like an oven."

Garry
V. 2427
 
T

tymish_z

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Jul 18, 2014
55
In my list. Bought base plate from ballenger, and ordered aluminum insert for mast bottom. Let me know if you need more details.
 
T

tymish_z

.
Jul 18, 2014
55
I'll send you all information I have tonight, when I came back to home.
P.S. Thank you for dodger you sent me.
Tym
 
V

Vega1447

.
Oct 19, 2019
921
Albin Vega 27 Limerick
Free parts & installation would be nice too_On 20/02/15 14:33, Newbold Noyes
newboldnoyes@... [AlbinVega] wrote:
 
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