Running a mast wire
In case you missed it, here's a repost on running the mast wire: Several years ago, I installed a wind instrument on an '88 Mk 2 model with the U-Dinette. Your mileage may vary, but here's how it went. Removed the sheeves from the base of the mast. If you don't have these, you'll probably have to drill and access hole 2" in diameter...lots of people have done this. Drop a messenger line down the inside of the mast and pull it out the side. Next, penetrate the sealant at the top of the cabin roof, where the other wires go through, with a fish tape (there may be a stand pipe, depending on the year of the boat). The fish tape will run down to the bottom of the compression post. I drilled a 1" hole on the aft face of the compression post, a few inches up from the bottom. This hole is covered by the U-dinette. If you have an L-Dinette, you will need to replug and refinish the hole later. Using a wire hook and/or long thin needle nose pliers, guide the fish tape end into the hole used by the VHF and mast lighting wires. This is the tricky part. Once you get it, the fish tape should exit with the wires into the bilge. Run a messenger line back to the deck, tie it to the one coming down the mast. You can now pull the wind instrument cable from the top of the mast, down to the bilge. To get from the bilge to the electrical panel, we disconnected a wire from the bilge pump, attached a messenger line, and pulled it back to the panel. Then attached a second line and pulled the wire back to the bilge and hooked it back up. Now you can pull all the wire to the electrical panel.
