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Google.com raymarine The shield should go to the metal part that surounds the port you are connecting to or the metal case of the box your are connecting to or if the case is plastic the circut board ground, or as a last option, the boat ground via the box you are connecting to. The last option is not a great idea but better than nothing. The shield protects you from stray interferance sooooo if you have a quiet boat you don't even need it. Unfortunatly most of us have our boats loaded with radars, gensets, alternators and the like and absolutly need the shield. Most mast connections are "under" the mast so you can unstep the mast and not have to cut the wires. Even if you don't take the mast down very often this is a good idea just make sure the connector is waterproofed before you instal the mast. Cables are interesting as they have two ends. If you can disconnect the top end and attach a line then you only need to make two trips up the mast. Otherwise you will need to either drop a stiff wire down the mast or unstep it and fish a wire through it. Either way is a lot of work but I'd opt for two trips up the mast. Dont forget to check the bow light, spreaders and mast head while your there.
