I have been sailing my '86 Hunter 23 for a couple of summers (both in DC and Florida). Great boat lots of fun, but when I got the boat the plugs for the mast light were striped. Since I have been only doing day sailing, I have not worried about the electrical system. I would like to do some overnights this summer, so were should I start? Is it easier to just replace the electrical wire in the mast or should I strip and re-wire? Where is a good place to start with assessing the overall health of my electrical system before I charge the batteries?
Rewiring the mast and ...
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Rewire
On mine I had on plug two connector plug for the masthead light and one two connector plug for the steaming light. Unstopping the mast prior to unplugging caused some grief. I had wanted to add spreader lights so I abandoned one plug and replaced the other with a compact six connector plug that allowed the additional wiring. An added bonus was I’ve only got one plug for all of the lights and one plug for the VHF. I replaced all of the in-mast wires pulling the spreader wires with the masthead. FYI I now follow a stepping checklist. Bob SV Miss Lisa
On mine I had on plug two connector plug for the masthead light and one two connector plug for the steaming light. Unstopping the mast prior to unplugging caused some grief. I had wanted to add spreader lights so I abandoned one plug and replaced the other with a compact six connector plug that allowed the additional wiring. An added bonus was I’ve only got one plug for all of the lights and one plug for the VHF. I replaced all of the in-mast wires pulling the spreader wires with the masthead. FYI I now follow a stepping checklist. Bob SV Miss Lisa
Deck connection.
Not sure what you need, but West Marine had the exact replacement for the deck connection, plug and socket, for my h23. Only powers the steaming light. Mac
Not sure what you need, but West Marine had the exact replacement for the deck connection, plug and socket, for my h23. Only powers the steaming light. Mac
more info
I need to replace the plug and socket (I will check WMP). I am just afraid I will be chasing grounds the rest of the summer and it might be easier to replace all the wiring in the mast. My boat sat out in the Florida weather for about three years before I bought it. Wire coming out of the deck and the mask are striped with no connectors and need to be replaced. I was hoping someone had "been there, done that" and had some insight and sage advice.
I need to replace the plug and socket (I will check WMP). I am just afraid I will be chasing grounds the rest of the summer and it might be easier to replace all the wiring in the mast. My boat sat out in the Florida weather for about three years before I bought it. Wire coming out of the deck and the mask are striped with no connectors and need to be replaced. I was hoping someone had "been there, done that" and had some insight and sage advice.
Maybe I can help
I rewired my mast (electrical and VHF) two years ago. I replaced both deck connectors and all the in-mast wiring. Instead of running a new wire all the way to the masthead for the anchor light, I drilled a hole in the front of the mast just below the spreaders and added a steaming light. The steaming light is now controlled by the masthead light switch. For the rare occasions when I anchor out at night, I hoist an all-round white LED light on a pigstick using the main halyard. It sits above the masthead and the power consumption is minimal. Rewiring the mast is easy if you lower it. Use an electrician's wire fish to run the wires. I used heavier coax for the VHF to reduce losses in the cable and replaced the connectors with gold-plated ones to reduce corrosion at the connectors. Works great. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
I rewired my mast (electrical and VHF) two years ago. I replaced both deck connectors and all the in-mast wiring. Instead of running a new wire all the way to the masthead for the anchor light, I drilled a hole in the front of the mast just below the spreaders and added a steaming light. The steaming light is now controlled by the masthead light switch. For the rare occasions when I anchor out at night, I hoist an all-round white LED light on a pigstick using the main halyard. It sits above the masthead and the power consumption is minimal. Rewiring the mast is easy if you lower it. Use an electrician's wire fish to run the wires. I used heavier coax for the VHF to reduce losses in the cable and replaced the connectors with gold-plated ones to reduce corrosion at the connectors. Works great. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
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