Re wiring & Re painting a H-30 Mast

[Nelsonhow]

Well I'm finally in the water for 2010.....and already planning for the fall haul out. Is that sick or what?

Next fall/spring I need to rewire my H-30 mast (anchor and steaming light & VHF). Currently the cables run inside of a channel on the back of the mast with a kind of cover and exit at the base. Dose the cover come off? Or do I have to pull the old wire out with a draw string attached to pull the new wire back up? How about the steaming light at mid mast? Is there a tube that brings the wire across the mast to the front or dose it just exit from a hole in the back of the mast (in the track) to the front of the mast? Any advice and suggestions would me much appreciated.

Secondly the mast is painted white. It pealing in places and there is some minor corrosion where the stainless fittings attach. I plan to remove the fittings and either sand or use stripper to remove the paint. Any suggestions which is better? Also what kind of preparation after sanding: Acid wash(?), aluminum primer and Rustoelum (worked great on my pedestal and boom) Epoxy Appliance paint , Top side paint? I'm looking for something that is easy to apply and will last. A mirror finish would be nice but not essential.

Any advice form the net would be appreciated.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Regarding the stripping/sanding/painting of your mast you should find lots of experience using Search. You might even find the project detailed in "Hunter Owner Modifications".

From your description of the wire track it must be like mine. Our Kenyon masts have sail tracks for the slugs. The track is also the cover for the wire channel. On my boat, which is keel-stepped, the wiring channel below the gooseneck is a rubber or nylon cover that is pulled out of the bottom of the mast. The metal track pulls out from the top. It can be pretty stubborn. Might be in two or more pieces, cannot remember. Then you will probably find the wires tied within the channel. Be sure to do that when you rewire.

If you scroll down on this link to "Cruising Sections" you can find your mast and the end look of the luff track: http://www.rigrite.com/Spars/Kenyon_Spars/KENYON.html#Kenyon Mast Sections .