Pearson Mast Wiring

J

J Rezab

.
May 21, 2016
11
PEARSON 303 NEW BERN
I have a 1986 Pearson 303. I plan to install a Davis Windex LED Lite for my wind indicator at the top of my mast. I will have to run the cable down inside the mast . the mast is presently stepped in the boat and in the water. Does anyone know if Pearson installed conduit in the mast for electrical wires for the anchor light and steaming light? I would like to run the additional wires through the conduit to minimize clanging of wires in the mast.

Jerry
Windy City
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,089
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Jerry, Most likely... examine the front of your mast. Do you have a line of pop rivets running in a line up your mast? They are the most common way to fasten the pvc conduit inside the mast.

Whether you have enough room to run another wire in the conduit is anybodies guess. That is why folks climb the mast and look down inside with a prayer.

Once you get the wire inside the conduit how are you going to get it out of the mast and into the boat?

A reason for removing the mast and running the wire. You may find that you need to remove the mast head to get to the conduit at the top of the mast. You may need to drill a hole in the deck to insert the wire inside of the boat. Another reason to do the work with the mast down. It is very hard to remove the mast head when your hanging from it 40 feet in the air.
Good luck.
 
D

dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,889
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Some conduits are part of the mast extrusion so you won't see a line of rivets. Is the mast deck or keel stepped? If it is a deck stepped mast will be very difficult to finish the wiring job without unstepping the mast. With a keel stepped mast there will be an exit hole below deck where you can access the new wire. A smart rigger or PO would have left a messenger line inside the conduit, makes the job much easier.

I've never understood how a rigger can remove the masthead fitting while sitting in a bosun's seat that is attached to a halyard that is supported by the masthead he is trying to remove. Seems like he'd need a pretty big sky hook or anti-gravity boots.

When was the last time the mast came down? It may be worthwhile to take it down inspect all the rigging and replace wiring and lights.
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,089
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
dlochner said:
how a rigger can remove the masthead fitting while sitting in a bosun's seat
Click to expand
Ah Dave... Your a master at the impossible. Given enough time you might develop a new technique...:biggrin:
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,089
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
I will bet that you have not paid a bill yet... :liar:and the first one would have been in 2014:solame:
 
J

J Rezab

.
May 21, 2016
11
PEARSON 303 NEW BERN
thanks to all that replied to my question concerning mast wiring. Thanks to dlochner especially his comments are right on. I mast is keel stepped and there is a hole at the bottom of the mast were Pearson ran the anchor and steeming light wiring. I now recognize that the mast will have to be down because of the halyards preventing the mast head removal.
Thanks to all and your replies.

Jerry
 
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D

dlochner

.
Jan 11, 2014
12,889
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
J Rezab said:
I now recognize that the mast will have to be down because of the halyards preventing the mast head removal.
Click to expand
There is one low probability option. If the rigger has access to a crane or gin pole, he can use that to access the masthead instead of a halyard. It is worth asking, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.
 
J

J Rezab

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May 21, 2016
11
PEARSON 303 NEW BERN
You are right on again. That was my thought also. My rigger does not have a crane but a local boat yard does have a crane right at the waters edge where he normally haul boats out. so I can pull into the slip and he can reach the top of my mast 47 ft without having to haul my boat out nor take down the mast. This is what I probably will do as soon as the 90+ degrees temps cools down here in North Caroline

Jerry
 
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J

J Rezab

.
May 21, 2016
11
PEARSON 303 NEW BERN
You are so right ! December in North Carolina is about 60 degrees and with at it is a great time to work on the boat for the next summer. Have a good summer!

Jerry
 
NYSail

NYSail

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Jan 6, 2006
3,145
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
On my Old Pearson (1986 P36-2) I had an isomast and was able to remove the masthead while mast was up and I was in my chair. My mast had a conduit that was attached internally..... no reverts. I had to run a wire and basically dropped a messenger line down with a small weight. Wife fished it out of the hole below the step in the bilge then I tied wire to it and pulled it through. Pretty easy job.

Good luck
Greg
 
J

J Rezab

.
May 21, 2016
11
PEARSON 303 NEW BERN
Thanks Greg, My boat has the isomast also and there is a hole at the bottom of the mast in the bilge where it is stepped. I am glad to hear the isomast does have an internal conduit. Now I can plan for a fall or early December work day to install the windex light at the top of the mast.

Thanks again
Jerry - Windy City - 1986 Pearson 303
 
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