I was wondering if anyone had any information or experience with mounting an 18 inch radar dome on a mast? Does the mast need to be stepped? I took off my access panel around my compression pole and was looking at the wires/cables running through the mast for the wind indicator, anchor light, steaming light, and there does not seem to be any room left for the radar cable. Is the mast sectioned off on the inside because of the internal halyards? I am afraid to drill holes on the front of the mast because I might hit some wiring. Any information about how to accomplish this type of installation would be greatly appreciated.
Radar Mount on Mast for 1995 Hunter 336
- Thread starter MikeW
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I don't think you have to step the mast
but I have not run the cable inside of the mast lately either. I once did an installation on a Benneteau which had a small wire chase. We took the connector which went into the scanner and disassembled it by pulling the individual connectors out of the inline Molex housing and taped them together. That made the cable which we needed to pull small enough in diameter to pull through the waterproof feedthrough. Use a lot of soap and take your time! The downside is that you need to be very careful to put the connections back into their proper places. You also need to use care not to damage the springs themselves. It is not a technique for the faint of heart and most techs will never spend the time to do it this way. If you do not understand this explanation, find someone who knows what a Molex connector is and how they are assembled and disassembled. Raytheon will not tell you even if they know so don't waste much of your time with them.
but I have not run the cable inside of the mast lately either. I once did an installation on a Benneteau which had a small wire chase. We took the connector which went into the scanner and disassembled it by pulling the individual connectors out of the inline Molex housing and taped them together. That made the cable which we needed to pull small enough in diameter to pull through the waterproof feedthrough. Use a lot of soap and take your time! The downside is that you need to be very careful to put the connections back into their proper places. You also need to use care not to damage the springs themselves. It is not a technique for the faint of heart and most techs will never spend the time to do it this way. If you do not understand this explanation, find someone who knows what a Molex connector is and how they are assembled and disassembled. Raytheon will not tell you even if they know so don't waste much of your time with them.
Radar336
I mast mounted a JRC dome on our 336. I ran cable externally down the slot on the front of the mast using a snap plastic cover. I have a cable port ahead of the mast to run cables into the deck.
I mast mounted a JRC dome on our 336. I ran cable externally down the slot on the front of the mast using a snap plastic cover. I have a cable port ahead of the mast to run cables into the deck.
Done It
I mounted my 18" radome on the past just above the 1st spreaders. I have a 95 336. Cut a hole in the mast for a grommet and ran the cable down the inside of the mast. The concern is eventual ware on the cable rubbing against the halyard during raising and lowering. There is little chance of wrapping the cable and halyard. I contacted the mast manufacturer and they told me I could safely cut a 2" diameter hole 6-8" above the step minimum. I used this to locate the cable when dropped down the mast and feed it thru the hole in the mast step. I spliced the cable inside the boat so I could cut it if I ever had to step the mast. I made sure there was plenty of slack at that point. I felt a spliced and soldered connection was superior to a junction box. My main problem was fishing the cable thru the inside of the cabin to the raceway along the starboard side of the boat. I bought a wireman’s puller and it took a lot of fishing to get the puller cable up to the step. I’m glad I made the installation. The radar system has already saved my life. I was able to avoid a 60 foot trawler off the coast of Long Island. He must have been busy getting ready to fish and was headed right toward me. No answers to hails. With the radar system I knew he was coming and avoid a collusion. There was fog so visibility was about 300 feet. Good luck
I mounted my 18" radome on the past just above the 1st spreaders. I have a 95 336. Cut a hole in the mast for a grommet and ran the cable down the inside of the mast. The concern is eventual ware on the cable rubbing against the halyard during raising and lowering. There is little chance of wrapping the cable and halyard. I contacted the mast manufacturer and they told me I could safely cut a 2" diameter hole 6-8" above the step minimum. I used this to locate the cable when dropped down the mast and feed it thru the hole in the mast step. I spliced the cable inside the boat so I could cut it if I ever had to step the mast. I made sure there was plenty of slack at that point. I felt a spliced and soldered connection was superior to a junction box. My main problem was fishing the cable thru the inside of the cabin to the raceway along the starboard side of the boat. I bought a wireman’s puller and it took a lot of fishing to get the puller cable up to the step. I’m glad I made the installation. The radar system has already saved my life. I was able to avoid a 60 foot trawler off the coast of Long Island. He must have been busy getting ready to fish and was headed right toward me. No answers to hails. With the radar system I knew he was coming and avoid a collusion. There was fog so visibility was about 300 feet. Good luck
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