I'll be having my boat hauled out in the spring in order to take care of the bottom paint, and re-naming. While it's out, I'm also thinking of installing an anchor light and steaming light. I already have functional nav. lights (red/green on bow, and white light on transom), but nothing on the mast. So, some questions: It seems like a simple enough project, but is there any reason why I should leave this job to a pro? If I do it myself, are there any problems/pitfalls that I should be aware of? It's a deck-stepped mast, of course, and I would be nervous about drilling holes, since I've never done any glass work. I know, that's silly, but this is my first year on my first boat, so taking a drill to the cabin top makes me nervous. And last but certainly not least, if I have the boatyard do it for me, approximately how much money should I expect to pay? I know labor on boat doesn't come cheap. Thanks for any tips/advice you can give me.
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Common Sense
You are right to think that it is a simple project and one that you can do yourself - it's all common sense. Once you place the anchor and steaming light fixtures on the mast you will need to think about securing the wires inside the mast so that they don't slap around making noise and chaffing. Some masts come with a wire conduit but most people just secure maybe three wire ties about every three feet - with the long tails sticking out at different angles - keeping the wires out of harm's (and halyards) way. Be sure to knot the wires or secure them in some way where they enter the upper part of the mast, to support their weight. Also, use grommets where needed to reduce chafe. At the deck, the conventional wisdom says to drill an oversized hole through the deck (and liner if necesary. Tape the bottom of the hole and fill it with epoxy (west system is easy). Then drill a smaller hole through the center for the wires. Use plenty of good caulking and add a wire connector so you can unstep the mast. Be sure to installl separate breakers for each light. If you are still not sure, ask the yard to do the deck work part of the project. Good Luck!
You are right to think that it is a simple project and one that you can do yourself - it's all common sense. Once you place the anchor and steaming light fixtures on the mast you will need to think about securing the wires inside the mast so that they don't slap around making noise and chaffing. Some masts come with a wire conduit but most people just secure maybe three wire ties about every three feet - with the long tails sticking out at different angles - keeping the wires out of harm's (and halyards) way. Be sure to knot the wires or secure them in some way where they enter the upper part of the mast, to support their weight. Also, use grommets where needed to reduce chafe. At the deck, the conventional wisdom says to drill an oversized hole through the deck (and liner if necesary. Tape the bottom of the hole and fill it with epoxy (west system is easy). Then drill a smaller hole through the center for the wires. Use plenty of good caulking and add a wire connector so you can unstep the mast. Be sure to installl separate breakers for each light. If you are still not sure, ask the yard to do the deck work part of the project. Good Luck!
CD has parts
Catalina Direct sells the wiring harness, four wire through-hull connector and the lights that you need. You can run the wiring from the breaker panel under the floor to the mast support pedestal and then up the pedestal to the cabin ceiling and the through-hull connector. You are probably looking at a couple hundred bucks max. The wiring harness is $50 and the connector is about $10.
Catalina Direct sells the wiring harness, four wire through-hull connector and the lights that you need. You can run the wiring from the breaker panel under the floor to the mast support pedestal and then up the pedestal to the cabin ceiling and the through-hull connector. You are probably looking at a couple hundred bucks max. The wiring harness is $50 and the connector is about $10.
How old is this vessel?
It is my understanding that boats over a certain length (which I am sure is less than 22 feet) built after December 31, 1981 are required to have a full compliment of lights. For a sail boat this is the red and green bow lights, aft stern light and mast steaming light. My C-22 was constructed in August (I believe) of 1981 but as a 1982 model so it is fitted with these lights. Hence, as you have a Capri 22, this vessel may have been constructed after December 31, 1981 and therefore should have some provision for all the lights including the steaming mast light. This means there should be wires leading from the switch panel up to the deck from where they exit to go up the mast. However, as the Capri 22 is considered a "racing" boat and would not necessarily have an outboard as commonly as a Catalina 22, then it is possible the mast steaming light wires may not have been installed although the boat is constructed after December 31, 1981.
It is my understanding that boats over a certain length (which I am sure is less than 22 feet) built after December 31, 1981 are required to have a full compliment of lights. For a sail boat this is the red and green bow lights, aft stern light and mast steaming light. My C-22 was constructed in August (I believe) of 1981 but as a 1982 model so it is fitted with these lights. Hence, as you have a Capri 22, this vessel may have been constructed after December 31, 1981 and therefore should have some provision for all the lights including the steaming mast light. This means there should be wires leading from the switch panel up to the deck from where they exit to go up the mast. However, as the Capri 22 is considered a "racing" boat and would not necessarily have an outboard as commonly as a Catalina 22, then it is possible the mast steaming light wires may not have been installed although the boat is constructed after December 31, 1981.
Thanks
Thanks for the advice. This project may or may not get done this year, depending on available free time and budget, but at least it sounds like something I can handle. Bayard, the boat is an '86. I did find it a little odd that there were no lights on the mast, but I suppose the explanation is simply that it's a daysailor. The cabin is certainly not set up for any extended time to be spent there; after owning the boat for a full season my wife and I have spent the night on it once. Which is also the reason why I'm not in any real hurry to add the lights. My normal plans involve bringing the boat back to the slip before dark. Perhaps there is actually some equipment for it installed, but I've not seen it. At the Annapolis boat show a few weeks back, I checked out some Catalinas, and I saw the wires and connection coming out of the cabin at the base of the mast. I haven't noticed anything like that on mine, nor is there any wire running along the ceiling of the cabin. But I've not had the mast down yet, so I've never gotten a close inspection of what's at the top of the mast. But even though I can't see the mast head, I can see that there is no steaming light on the front of the mast. I guess the lesson to be learned here is that you never quite know what you are going to get when a boat is 17 years old, and has had at least 2 PO's.
Thanks for the advice. This project may or may not get done this year, depending on available free time and budget, but at least it sounds like something I can handle. Bayard, the boat is an '86. I did find it a little odd that there were no lights on the mast, but I suppose the explanation is simply that it's a daysailor. The cabin is certainly not set up for any extended time to be spent there; after owning the boat for a full season my wife and I have spent the night on it once. Which is also the reason why I'm not in any real hurry to add the lights. My normal plans involve bringing the boat back to the slip before dark. Perhaps there is actually some equipment for it installed, but I've not seen it. At the Annapolis boat show a few weeks back, I checked out some Catalinas, and I saw the wires and connection coming out of the cabin at the base of the mast. I haven't noticed anything like that on mine, nor is there any wire running along the ceiling of the cabin. But I've not had the mast down yet, so I've never gotten a close inspection of what's at the top of the mast. But even though I can't see the mast head, I can see that there is no steaming light on the front of the mast. I guess the lesson to be learned here is that you never quite know what you are going to get when a boat is 17 years old, and has had at least 2 PO's.
Good Fishing!
If you have to run wires from your fused switch-box, they probably can be partly hidden behind the lip of the shelf along the inside of the cabin. When I retrofitted my C22 for anchor light, the hardest part was running the wires thru the mast. You will need an electricican's "fish tape" to reach up the mast to grab the wires where you push them thru the mast holes that you drill and grommet. I made a "fish" out of a very stiff piece of wire, but you probably can borrow or buy what you need for that ok. I used the "tie's" approach to keep the wire from making noise as mentioned elsewhere, and that works fine. Dick
If you have to run wires from your fused switch-box, they probably can be partly hidden behind the lip of the shelf along the inside of the cabin. When I retrofitted my C22 for anchor light, the hardest part was running the wires thru the mast. You will need an electricican's "fish tape" to reach up the mast to grab the wires where you push them thru the mast holes that you drill and grommet. I made a "fish" out of a very stiff piece of wire, but you probably can borrow or buy what you need for that ok. I used the "tie's" approach to keep the wire from making noise as mentioned elsewhere, and that works fine. Dick
Ben............ Since there is never a situation where you will use your mast steaming light and your anchor light at the same time......... wire them separately... but use only 1 thru hull fitting..... and merely plug in the light you need at the time. C22's are prewired for this project..... but I don't know about Capri's. A call to Catalina would answer the question though. Good luck! kennybc22@yahoo.com
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