I'm a new owner of an old, but sturdy (1978)27' Catalina. The 6 switch electrical distribution panel broke so decided to clean up wiring. Armed with an internet wiring diagram, courtesy of Catalina yachts (thanks), I removed the distribution panel, looked inside and saw 3 loose wire ends; a yellow (Spreader light), Orange (Bow light), and White (Anchor or mast light). As one might expect, none of these lights work. No Spreader lights are apparent so I assume this is an option not purchased. And the mast light is also not visible however it seems this should be a standard feature. The bow light (halfway up the mast) is there, but does not work. My question is: Did any, or all of these lights come standard (and connected) with Catalina in 78? Also, does anyone have any tips on rewiring these lights insofar as pulling new wires through (I'm guessing) the ceiling's port side and then up the mast. And if I can avoid unstepping the mast, so much the better! Thanks for any help! Have a great 2005 on the water! I love this boat! (Whose's idea was it to put the distribution panel at the foot of the ladder where it can get wet, kicked, shorted if any amount of water gets in. Anyway its up out of harms way on the port side.)
orphan wires on catalina 27
- Thread starter grjfield
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The light half way up the mast should be
your "steaming light" white facing forward. Spreader or "deck lights" are sometimes part of the steaming light (white light at base of fixture pointing down). They can also be separate white lights on each side of mast pointing down and should be visible from the deck. The "running lights" (red to port, green to starboard & a white to the rear) usually consist of a red/green combo mounted on front of bow pulpit and white light on transom. "anchor light" (mast top) is 360 degree white and usually sticks straight up mounted about an inch above mast top and should also be visible from below. Running and anchor lights were required and should definitely have been there at one time. If I've only added to confusion let me know.
your "steaming light" white facing forward. Spreader or "deck lights" are sometimes part of the steaming light (white light at base of fixture pointing down). They can also be separate white lights on each side of mast pointing down and should be visible from the deck. The "running lights" (red to port, green to starboard & a white to the rear) usually consist of a red/green combo mounted on front of bow pulpit and white light on transom. "anchor light" (mast top) is 360 degree white and usually sticks straight up mounted about an inch above mast top and should also be visible from below. Running and anchor lights were required and should definitely have been there at one time. If I've only added to confusion let me know.
C27 Lights
grj In addition, you should also check the fittings and the lamps themselves before you start rewiring. As you've seen there are three parts: the panel (switch and fuse or breaker), the wiring, and the fixtures (with the lamps). Check all three, since very often the lamps may even be all right, but just needs to have some corrosion in the socket cleaned up. You'll find the C27 association site very helpful. Stu
grj In addition, you should also check the fittings and the lamps themselves before you start rewiring. As you've seen there are three parts: the panel (switch and fuse or breaker), the wiring, and the fixtures (with the lamps). Check all three, since very often the lamps may even be all right, but just needs to have some corrosion in the socket cleaned up. You'll find the C27 association site very helpful. Stu
Shouldn't There Be a Ground Also?
Shouldn't there be a ground wire in that bunch also? Unlike a car, boats don't typically use structure (even masts) for ground connections.
Shouldn't there be a ground wire in that bunch also? Unlike a car, boats don't typically use structure (even masts) for ground connections.
some answers to your questions.
Here's my experience. The boat came standard with running lights, bow light(steaming), mast light (anchor) and cabin(4 interior lights). The spreaders are pre-wired, but the lights were an option. I have no spreader lights, so that circuit is used for the compass light. I'm assuming you've performed a complete continuity check on all circuits. If you haven't, do this before anything else. Esecially check all ground wires. (black) The bad news is that the wiring harness for this generation of Catalina 27's was glassed into the liner. Higher quality boats have removable liners that allow you to examine and replace the wiring, but for production boats of this era, embedding was a common cost cutting technique. So you won't be able to pull through new wiring with the old. The cost effective solution is to install flat, external conduit and leave the old wiring buried in the liner. On my boat, a 77, the harness runs up the starboard side, with the mast circuits branching off at the cabin bulkhead running through the cabin's mast beam and entering the mast throught the deck mount. There are water proof connectors here that allow you to disconnect the wiring when unstepping the spar. You may be able to access these wires at the mast base if you have internal halyards because there is often an exit block mounted down low that you can remove and see inside. If you can't then you'll have to lift the mast up to access them... a real chore. So... check your continuity thoroughly, and check all bulbs.
Here's my experience. The boat came standard with running lights, bow light(steaming), mast light (anchor) and cabin(4 interior lights). The spreaders are pre-wired, but the lights were an option. I have no spreader lights, so that circuit is used for the compass light. I'm assuming you've performed a complete continuity check on all circuits. If you haven't, do this before anything else. Esecially check all ground wires. (black) The bad news is that the wiring harness for this generation of Catalina 27's was glassed into the liner. Higher quality boats have removable liners that allow you to examine and replace the wiring, but for production boats of this era, embedding was a common cost cutting technique. So you won't be able to pull through new wiring with the old. The cost effective solution is to install flat, external conduit and leave the old wiring buried in the liner. On my boat, a 77, the harness runs up the starboard side, with the mast circuits branching off at the cabin bulkhead running through the cabin's mast beam and entering the mast throught the deck mount. There are water proof connectors here that allow you to disconnect the wiring when unstepping the spar. You may be able to access these wires at the mast base if you have internal halyards because there is often an exit block mounted down low that you can remove and see inside. If you can't then you'll have to lift the mast up to access them... a real chore. So... check your continuity thoroughly, and check all bulbs.
It's an ugly wire run! At least mine was...
'85 C27, the wires running up the mast come from the switch panel and DOWN the hull to the bilge. They run the length of the bilge through a flex conduit which is probably all brittle. From the fwd end of the bilge into the bottom of the compression post, up through the compression post, through the deck and on up the mast. My wiring was corroded and broken in the bilge area. Ran a whole bundle as a single run with the mast down. NOT FUN... Be creative, there's more than one way to skin a cat. If I had to do it all over again I wouldn't do it that way! Good luck...
'85 C27, the wires running up the mast come from the switch panel and DOWN the hull to the bilge. They run the length of the bilge through a flex conduit which is probably all brittle. From the fwd end of the bilge into the bottom of the compression post, up through the compression post, through the deck and on up the mast. My wiring was corroded and broken in the bilge area. Ran a whole bundle as a single run with the mast down. NOT FUN... Be creative, there's more than one way to skin a cat. If I had to do it all over again I wouldn't do it that way! Good luck...
Thanks for the heads up
I hadn't thought about the possibility of the steaming light being a combo, streaming and spreader light. (it was only a matter of time before I took a climb..) I'll have a closer look. Thanks
I hadn't thought about the possibility of the steaming light being a combo, streaming and spreader light. (it was only a matter of time before I took a climb..) I'll have a closer look. Thanks
black wire
I'm assuming the black from any of these orphans was already connected back to the panel using either the cabin or running lights... But you know what they say about assuming...thanks for the heads up.
I'm assuming the black from any of these orphans was already connected back to the panel using either the cabin or running lights... But you know what they say about assuming...thanks for the heads up.
Lots of useful info - Thanks
I appreciate all the replies, and all the great suggestions, - great forum- ...look forward to reciprocating in the future - good sailing!
I appreciate all the replies, and all the great suggestions, - great forum- ...look forward to reciprocating in the future - good sailing!
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