Rewire Mast

[cookcwayne]

I have an O'Day 30. When they moved it, they obviously destroyed the mast lighting wiring.
any idea on how to rewire without dropping the Mast?
Thought about climbing the mast, pulling the new wires with the one remaining old wire, installing new all around and Mast Head.

 

[fred1diver]

it would be a lot easier if the mast was down, you'll be able to do it with the mast up but it will be a lot tougher

 

[cookcwayne]

thanks, trying to avoid that option

 

[Capt jgw]

I was going to say the same thing. Not a fun job hanging in a boson chair. Can be done, but no fun.
However you do it, leave a strong string or twine messenger in place for next time.
Sounds like you only have one wire going to the mast top, and need to replace wires to there and half way up for the steaming light? Getting the wire to come out the hole half way up is tough even with the mast down. I've done it by turning the mast on the horses so the hole faces down, then reaching in with a piece of coat hanger to catch the wire or messenger. You could try that with the stick up, but the wire won't be near the hole.

 

[cookcwayne]

Kind of what I was thinking. Thanks a lot.

 

[Capt jgw]

There is a trick that works if there's nothing inside the mast to prevent something falling down the length of it. Take several nuts or other weights just small enough to fit through the hole. Tie them in a line in your messenger twine and feed them through the hole and let them drop to the bottom. Then your helper fishes them out the hole in the bottom and your all set.

 

[cookcwayne]

That sounds good also, again thanks

 

[MaritimeTees]

I used the crane at the boatyard to do mine. Cost was 150.00 the worker dropped the wires down and connected the mast head light. The steaming light was on a separate line and that didn't need it. Saved me from dropping mast. Took about an hour time. I did the rest of wiring.

 

[jssailem]

CO
Mast wiring is either free running inside the mast or it is in a conduit inside the mast. Some masts have a single conduit some have more as in conduit up to the steaming light and one conduit to the mast head. Conduit keeps the wires from banging and chafing inside the mast.
Check for continuity before you go to the trouble of pulling new wire. The issue may be just cutting off the damaged connections at one of the ends and attaching new connectors. Lot simpler than pulling new wire.
If you must pull wire then mend on a secure short messenger to old wire and new marine grade wire. (LED lights mean you can use a small gauge wire i.e. 14guage) The short messenger will help you minimize the size of connectining the two wire ends and help you through the tight spots you will discover.

 

[Justin_NSA]

To would be inventors: solar charged, lithium battery powered LED mast lights with wireless remote control.

 

[MaritimeTees]

Do you have link for these?