I am buying a Hunter 33.5 (1989) and my survey showed that the mast lights were not working. In the survey, the boat was hauled and when it was out of the water, the lights on the mast came on. However, once we were back in the water and back at dock, the mast lights were not working. I have also learned that the current owner has said that the mast lights are not working. The surveyor told me I could probably pull up one of the floor boards between the V-berth and salon and I should find a terminal block. Then I should clean each terminal wire and that should do the trick. However, I am concerned that the terminal box is not under a floor board or that this will not fix the problem. Has anyone had this problem, and if so, what should I expect to have this fixed? (i.e. unstep the mast) F. Post
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Ralph Johnstone
Sounds Like ...................
........ one of thes annoying problems that keep boat owners off of street corners and out of bars. If you don't find the answer under the sole at the terminal block the next step is at the mast head. Probably the easiest is to climb the mast (actually it's quite easy with the proper gear) and start shorting out a few wire at the mast head and using an ohmeter to find where the bad connection is. Make sure that the circuits are locked out first or disconnect the positive lead from your battery. Good Luck, s/v Island Hunter
........ one of thes annoying problems that keep boat owners off of street corners and out of bars. If you don't find the answer under the sole at the terminal block the next step is at the mast head. Probably the easiest is to climb the mast (actually it's quite easy with the proper gear) and start shorting out a few wire at the mast head and using an ohmeter to find where the bad connection is. Make sure that the circuits are locked out first or disconnect the positive lead from your battery. Good Luck, s/v Island Hunter
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Ed Schenck
Need more info.
There may be two separate wire cables(not counting VHF cable) in your mast, one for steaming and one for anchor. Are they both inoperative? It is possible to wire the two separate circuits with one cable but my boat has two. If both circuits are dead this would be a clue. Most likely the connector at the deck-stepped mast.
There may be two separate wire cables(not counting VHF cable) in your mast, one for steaming and one for anchor. Are they both inoperative? It is possible to wire the two separate circuits with one cable but my boat has two. If both circuits are dead this would be a clue. Most likely the connector at the deck-stepped mast.
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Jane
what about the bulb?
...or the connection between the bulb and it's holder (not a very technical description). that was the problem with mine. just cleaned it and after all the trouble of going up the mast replaced the bulb too.
...or the connection between the bulb and it's holder (not a very technical description). that was the problem with mine. just cleaned it and after all the trouble of going up the mast replaced the bulb too.
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Dick McKee
Not your problem
Franklin...If you haven't accepted the boat and closed the deal it is the sellers responsibility to fix the problem. That is why you had a survey done. As the other posts indicated it could be anyting from the switch, wire bulb or something else. If he he wants to sell tell him to fix it. Dick McKee S/V Constellation
Franklin...If you haven't accepted the boat and closed the deal it is the sellers responsibility to fix the problem. That is why you had a survey done. As the other posts indicated it could be anyting from the switch, wire bulb or something else. If he he wants to sell tell him to fix it. Dick McKee S/V Constellation
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Steve O.
what terminal block?
I have an 88 h33.5 and there is no terminal block under the sole, unless the owner installed one. All the wires lead to the switch panel. The previous posts are good advice, start checking the simplest things first: 1) is the switch on? 2) is the connection at the mast step good? Do you have contnuity there? 3) are the bulbs burned out? You can go up the mast to replace the bulbs but a bad connection at the mast step requires unstepping the mast. Probably corrosion or bad bulbs are the culprit.
I have an 88 h33.5 and there is no terminal block under the sole, unless the owner installed one. All the wires lead to the switch panel. The previous posts are good advice, start checking the simplest things first: 1) is the switch on? 2) is the connection at the mast step good? Do you have contnuity there? 3) are the bulbs burned out? You can go up the mast to replace the bulbs but a bad connection at the mast step requires unstepping the mast. Probably corrosion or bad bulbs are the culprit.
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Colin
I had the same problem on my 89, 335
I had exactly the same problem as the one you descride. The only fix that worked for me was to remove the mast and replace the small four pin plug and socket at the base of the mast. I have to remove my mast every year and as the original equipment ones are junk, I am planning to switch to a military style connector this year. Silver plated contacts etc. will last a lifetime. By the way this is no terminal block under the cabin sole.
I had exactly the same problem as the one you descride. The only fix that worked for me was to remove the mast and replace the small four pin plug and socket at the base of the mast. I have to remove my mast every year and as the original equipment ones are junk, I am planning to switch to a military style connector this year. Silver plated contacts etc. will last a lifetime. By the way this is no terminal block under the cabin sole.
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Kent Johnson
I agree with Dick, but..
if you really want the boat, at least have the owner fix it or discount the price to have it fixed. I don't know about your area, but to unstep the mast using a hoist and restep, you are looking at approximately $300 . My lights went out also due to the four plug connector as well as a broken ground wire. My wiring went through the center of the mast, and not through any special wiring guide, although a guide was in the mast. To fix it without removing the mast, I drilled a 2-1/2 inch hole in the bottom of the mast to reach the connectors/VHF etc with a coat hanger. Pull them through the hole to work on and place back through the hole. I screwed on a two thin (1/16 inch) plates of aluminum and sealed with 3M 5300 to cover the hold and provide support. This was on the advice of a long time boat repair specialist. To fix the broken ground wire, I used a snake and came up where I could reach the wire hole from underneath the bathroom drain. Im in a H36 though, so it may be different in your boat. I pulled new wire down from the deckstep and wired it into a ground in the harness. Hope that helps. Seems to work well.
if you really want the boat, at least have the owner fix it or discount the price to have it fixed. I don't know about your area, but to unstep the mast using a hoist and restep, you are looking at approximately $300 . My lights went out also due to the four plug connector as well as a broken ground wire. My wiring went through the center of the mast, and not through any special wiring guide, although a guide was in the mast. To fix it without removing the mast, I drilled a 2-1/2 inch hole in the bottom of the mast to reach the connectors/VHF etc with a coat hanger. Pull them through the hole to work on and place back through the hole. I screwed on a two thin (1/16 inch) plates of aluminum and sealed with 3M 5300 to cover the hold and provide support. This was on the advice of a long time boat repair specialist. To fix the broken ground wire, I used a snake and came up where I could reach the wire hole from underneath the bathroom drain. Im in a H36 though, so it may be different in your boat. I pulled new wire down from the deckstep and wired it into a ground in the harness. Hope that helps. Seems to work well.
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