running NMEA cable from MFD to VHF on Beneteau 40

[Captpete12]

I have a Raymarine E80 MFDon my center table in the cockpit (common location) and want to run an NMEA 1083 cable to my VHF at the Nav station below. I see there is a flex pipe (hose) with a string in it in the electronics bay above thenav station = is this a pull for the wire I want to run? Where can I access the other end? Anyone done this before? Any help appreciated.

Peter

 

[Captn TJ]

My experience on the four Beneteaus I've owned is that all remote wire is run through conduits. my 423 manual shows conduit locations in the electrical/wiring section. I've founded messenger lines in all of my conduits

 

[Captpete12]

My experience on the four Beneteaus I've owned is that all remote wire is run through conduits. my 423 manual shows conduit locations in the electrical/wiring section. I've founded messenger lines in all of my conduits

Thanks Cap. Never thought to look at the "book" - I am sure the messenger line starts somewhere below the cockpit floor and ends up at the nav station.

 

[MI248]

I've done it and its painful. I have a US built 2 cabin. None of the pre-installed wire chases or strings seemed to work. To gain access and run the cable I worked between the circular access plate on the base of the cockpit table, the port lazzeret to the stern area and the lower port side of the hull, behind the sink, nav station and up to the radio. The most difficult part was squeezing 200+ lbs in to the little access panel to get to the stern area.

Hope this helps.

 

[Captpete12]

Thank you - sounds like the only way to go. I was able to get thru the rear access panel to repair my auto pilot hydraulic ram so I know what you are talking about - working on sailboats is the job for a "little" person.

 

[DougM]

Been there, done that on a 323. I actually managed to route the wire from the pedestal under the floor that covers the steering and into the starboard lazarette. I used a fish tape to pull the wire from there through the sink cabinet in the head and on into the nav station. I took another heavy line along with it in the event that I had to bring something else through in the future. I am 6'7" and it's no picnic. The kids are too big and the wife refuses to be a party to any requests to help in confined spaces.

It seems that Beneteau had some good ideas with the use of conduit throughout the boat and left pull cords in them, but somehow the finishers either managed to cut them at one end or the other, or glued them to the inside of the tube.

A trick that works if a conduit is available and continuous is to tie a cotton ball to a light string, insert it at one end,and attach a shop vac to the opposite end. Works like a charm. Then you can pull a cord and wire through.